This plan is inherently cruel. Cape Peninsula baboons are highly intelligent, socially complex wild animals who naturally range over large territories. Confinement in a restricted enclosure carries well-recognised risks to animal welfare, including loss of space, autonomy, environmental complexity and behavioural choice. These are critical to physical and psychological well-being in free-ranging primates.

ASI further notes that this project appears to be proceeding without the completion of essential legislative, environmental and administrative processes. Decisions of this magnitude which affect animal welfare, ecosystems and public interest, must be subject to full legal compliance, transparency and public scrutiny.

Extensive research indicates that confining free-ranging baboon troops carry substantial risks of stress, social disruption and ongoing welfare challenges. There are proven methods to mitigate human/animal conflict in such situations.

Of equal concern is the fact that Cape Town’s mayor refused to accept a petition signed by more than 17 000 people to reconsider. We urge the authorities to fully evaluate less intrusive, coexistence-based alternatives with full transparency and meaningful public engagement.