Baboons’ annual visit to Kleinmond underway
The Betty’s Bay baboon troop returned to Kleinmond over the weekend of 20 – 21 September 2025 for their annual visit.
“As always, they are curious, clever, and constantly on the lookout for an easy meal – so please secure your bins and waste properly and stay baboon wise.”
If you are renting out your property over weekends, please ensure to inform your tenants about how household waste should be managed.
Effective baboon management requires a joint effort from both residents and the Municipality. Access to human-derived foods in urban areas remains the main factor contributing to baboon habituation. This includes poor waste management, ripe fruits and berries, birdseed, pet food, unenclosed vegetable gardens and compost heaps, and unsecured properties.
We all need to work together to further improve management success and limit and reduce any negative effects of the baboons spending time in town.
Waste Management
Waste attracts baboons, so effective refuse management is essential. Please don’t leave black bags unattended on pavements in Kleinmond for the next couple of weeks, and ensure your bins are securely closed to keep baboons out.
If you don’t have a secure bin, please take your waste directly to the Transfer Station instead of leaving it on the pavement.
Also, fully secure vegetable gardens and compost heaps, remove ripening fruit and berries from trees and bushes, avoid leaving unfinished pet food outside, and do not put out birdseed or any food for wild animals, and most importantly, DO NOT FEED BABOONS.
Baboon-proof bins
Baboon-proof bins and locks are available at hardware stores, and private service providers in Overstrand can assist with converting your wheelie bin into a secure, baboon-proof bin.
Bins should not have old or faulty locking mechanisms and must be fully secured with no gaps accessible to baboons. For certain types of single-latch bins, it’s best to secure the bin to a pole to prevent it from being pushed over, as this can cause the latch to pop open, especially if it’s an older or faulty latch.
Options for residents:
- A baboon-proof bin doesn’t have to be a wheelie bin – some residents have converted their bins for less than R250.
- 240-litre green wheelie bins with locks can be purchased from the Overstrand municipal offices and delivered to your home. The cost of a bin is R1 838.
- Hangklip-Kleinmond residents can contact Renee at 060 656 7341 or Elsa at 083 283 7362 in Betty’s Bay to order a strong galvanized locking catch.
- For Greater Hermanus, contact Hermanus Bobby Bins at 076 203 8144 for assistance.
Please contact them directly to confirm availability and pricing.
Eco-Rangers and Early Warning System
Overstrand’s dedicated Eco-monitors will also diligently patrol the area to alert Kleinmond residents about the presence of baboons in the town using the early warning system (vuvuzelas). Residents are advised to heed the early warning system and promptly close doors and windows to prevent unwanted encounters. More vuvuzelas have been ordered and should be in-field soon.
Please close and lock all windows and doors when the baboons are near your property during the day. When leaving your property during the day, also ensure doors and windows are secured, blinds are closed, and no food is left visible inside.
Residents may also join the local community Baboon Sightings WhatsApp groups to be informed when the troop is nearby, in addition to heading the Early Warning System.
Baboon Hotline
The Baboon Hotline number is 069 1515 962 for any baboon related matters.
Residents can report the following:
Incidents: Any incidents such as property incursions, damages, or situations requiring immediate assistance.
Baboons’ locations and movements: Report on the immediate locations, number of baboons, and direction they are moving.
Injuries to Baboons: Notify us of any baboon injuries so they can be promptly assessed and addressed.
Residents not complying: Report instances of non-compliance with regards to waste management and food sources, as well as people harming or attempting to harm baboons.
Complaints: Any general complaints concerning baboon related incidents.
