An adult male baboon, BBM2, known locally as Thunder, died in Betty’s Bay on Saturday, 19 September 2026. A suspected entry wound was found on the left side of BBM2’s chest. Officials from Overstrand Municipal Baboon Management, Cape Nature, Law Enforcement, and the South African Police Service (SAPS) responded to the scene and assisted with the infield investigation, and taking of statements. BBM2’s body was taken to the Caledon Veterinary Clinic for a full autopsy.
The autopsy confirmed that the cause of death in BBM2 was blood loss due to an airgun pellet. The pellet entered the body at the left chest near the vertebrae and severed the arteries between the aorta and left kidney. A large amount of blood was found in the abdominal cavity and in the perirenal space, and the airgun pellet was found within the fresh blood of the perirenal space.
X-rays revealed a total of 20 projectiles, with the pellet found in the perirenal space as the cause of death. The age (and therefore the origin) of these additional projectiles could not be determined. No other abnormalities were noted.
An enquiry docket has been opened with SAPS in Kleinmond. All relevant information from the infield investigation, statements, as well as the retrieved projectile, has been handed over to assist in the investigation.
Members of the public with any information that could assist the investigation are urged to contact Kleinmond SAPS on 028 271 8200.
Baboon management:
Residents are reminded that Overstrand Municipality holds the necessary permits and training to implement its baboon management plan, using non-lethal and non-harmful tools and techniques. It is an offence to hunt a baboon without authorisation. Such illegal activities could result in penalties such as a fine not exceeding R10 000 or to two years’ imprisonment, or to both such fine and imprisonment. The discharging of an airgun or firearm in a built-up area is a contravention of the Firearms Control Act, 60 of 2000, and conviction may result in up to five years’ imprisonment and the convicted person being declared unfit to possess firearms.
Shooting baboons not only inflicts unnecessary pain on the animal but also disrupts their natural behaviour and the delicate social balance within their troop. Humane and non-lethal methods of managing human-wildlife conflict are needed to safeguard both animal welfare and community safety.
For residents to effectively deter baboons from their property, they are advised to make use of garden hoses with attachments that spray water a good distance, and to make loud noises, like banging pots and pans. Remember that baboons will get used to continuous use of any deterrent, and therefore varied use of deterrents are advised.
For effective baboon management, residents must also play their part. This includes fully baboon-proofing bins, heed the early warning system, and following their local baboon WhatsApp sightings groups, so that they may ensure their windows and doors are closed and locked when the baboons are nearby. Additionally, do not leave birdseed or food out, pick ripening fruit from trees and bushes, enclose vegetable gardens and compost heaps, and, most importantly, do not feed baboons. By eliminating easy access to food sources in town, the troop will have less reason to return. These efforts must be carried out in conjunction with the baboon management plan.
All residents are encouraged to work together to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
For more information on baboon-proofing, keeping baboons off your property, or your legal rights as property owners, please contact the Overstrand Baboon Hotline at 069 151 5962 or email projectmanagerbmp@overstrand.gov.za.
