Baboon Matters – reasons why killing the alpha male does not work
Certain individuals believe that killing the alpha male will solve the “raiding” problem, however, here is what actually happens.
Baboon Matters – we were all very concerned recently when alerted that Kataza (SK11) had been listed as breaking the protocols set in place and could, therefore be executed for having entered homes or “breaking the line”.
Kataza’s Slangkop troop lost two adult males in the last 12-month cycle – both killed in terms of the protocol; did killing the two males resolve any of the on-going human-baboon interface issues? NO most certainly not!
“Killing an alpha male to try and stop the rest of the troop from entering urban areas, certainly doesn’t put an end to the baboons entering the villages and suburbs!
“When they killed two other Slangkop males, SK6 and SK9 in June and Dec last year, it didn’t stop the baboons from entering Ocean View and more recently, Kommetjie village. What it did cause, was extreme stress and anxiety for the troop as the rankings changed and a new dominant male emerged.
“The only solution is to manage the easy pickings left by the residents and businesses properly. The baboons are attracted to the readily available food they find in people’s unlocked garbage bins, fruiting trees, bird feeders, and vegetable patches,” explains Lynette Johnson.
If removing the “recalcitrant problem animals” (as described by a member of the BTT) was an effective solution then we would not currently have any problems with baboons coming into urban areas for easy food rewards.
In reality, the troops have all been spending more time in urban areas, so clearly killing the alpha male does not help the situation.