Notice from Bitou Municipality – Baboon Management Technique 

Notice from Bitou Municipality – Baboon Management Technique

Please be aware that baboons frequent surrounding rural areas and may enter the residential areas of Plettenberg Bay South. As such, property owners and tourists visiting the area are requested to please exercise the following Baboon Management Techniques: 

• Keep doors locked and windows closed when baboons are in the vicinity. Join the Plett Baboon Report Group on WhatsApp.
• Close windows and lock doors if you go out, unless they are baboon secure. 
• Keep all waste/rubbish (including shopping bags) and food completely out of sight at all times. 
• Use black wheelie bins to dispose of waste on designated waste days (Tuesdays for general waste). 
• Keep bins in a garage or shed where there is no visibility or access. 
• Please drop off waste at designated drop off sites in Plettenberg Bay should you be ending your holiday or leaving town on days other than waste days.
• Do not corner a baboon. If you are in a room with a baboon, as scary as they seem, do not look directly at them. Open a window or another door and then move away without eye contact. The baboon WILL choose the easiest route AWAY from the threat. 
• If a baboon is in your yard, make loud noises (banging pot lids together, air horns, tasers, deep voice shouting, toy cap guns etc) to chase them away. 
• Spraying them with water from hose pipes or `wazooka’ toy guns. Even the action of pointing a garden hose with a spray nozzle is often effective even if the water jet doesn’t actually reach them. 
• Never feed baboons. They will return to the property again and again. Feeding baboons is an offence in terms of the Nature Conservation Ordinance. 
• Do not try to take food from them. 
• If you have dogs, and if possible, keep them indoors, at least until the baboons are gone from the property. 

If you need help, please call Bitou Law Enforcement at 044 533 3230.