City signs partnership agreement with Shark Spotters, supported by SANParks and CapeNature
20 December 2024
The Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT) consisting of representatives from SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town, is pleased to announce that the City and the Shark Spotters have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA). SANParks and CapeNature as parties to the CPBMJTT are committed to initiating their own discussions with the Shark Spotters who will be assisting with the implementation of the Baboon Strategic Management Plan on the Cape Peninsula.
The Shark Spotters, a non-profit organisation, will perform selected operational tasks and secure and manage community resources needed for the implementation of the Baboon Strategic Management Plan.
The City of Cape Town and the Shark Spotters signed the MoA earlier today, 20 December 2024 following engagements between SANParks, CapeNature and the City of Cape Town. CPBMJTT parties will pursue individual engagements with the Shark Spotters to support the implementation of the Baboon Strategic Management Plan.
The baboon rangers currently appointed by NCC Environmental Services will be retained from 1 January 2025 to ensure a smooth transition to the new management structures.
The partnership with the Shark Spotters is beneficial:
- Being an NPO, the Shark Spotters can receive grant funding
- The Shark Spotters can receive funding, sponsorships and donations from affected communities, businesses, the general public, and local, national and international organisations with an interest in baboon management
The funds will be used to perform selected operational tasks, such as the provision of baboon ranger services, continuous public engagement and education, and research.
In terms of the MoA between the City and the Shark Spotters, the Shark Spotters will be responsible for the following outcomes, amongst others:
Employment of a field manager and baboon ranger services for stipulated baboon troops
Assist in the roll-out of an infrastructure programme to establish hard boundaries between natural areas and the urban environment where suitable
- Implement a baboon population research programme and employ a baboon researcher
- Acquire and maintain the required operational infrastructure and technology to ensure an effective and efficient programme
- Actively engage animal welfare groups, non-governmental organisations, residents associations, authorities, scientists and academic institutions
- Ensure ongoing and regular public updates through the relevant media channels that have been established by the Shark Spotting Programme, and develop new channels as needed
- Respond to reported baboon incidents
- Develop, drive and engage public education and awareness programmes around baboons and the Baboon Strategic Management Plan
- Submit monthly operating reports and an annual report
- Submit an annual baboon management research report
The City, SANParks and CapeNature have, over the past two years, created an invaluable and historic relationship in the form of the CPBMJTT – the first of its kind.
The cooperation between the three spheres of government and collective commitment in ensuring the sustainable management of the Cape Peninsula’s Chacma baboons is a major achievement and in the best interest of the affected communities, baboons, residents in general, and all stakeholders.
We are looking forward to building this partnership with the Shark Spotters.
In February 2025 the CPBMJTT will host the inaugural meeting of the Cape Peninsula Baboon Advisory Group who will represent their respective communities and organisations in engagements with the three authorities on the implementation of the Baboon Strategic Management Plan.
The Baboon Strategic Management Plan envisions a sustainable and wild baboon population living in natural landscapes on the Cape Peninsula, with community partnerships and local solutions as being key to keep baboons wild and reduce human-baboon conflict.
The CPBMJTT wants to thank the communities and stakeholders for their continued support.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
