Mayco approves proposed partnership with Shark Spotters to assist with baboon management
20 November 2024
The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee has supported a proposed Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Shark Spotters to assist with the implementation of the Cape Peninsula Baboon Strategic Management Plan at its meeting on 19 November 2024. The MoA with this non-profit organisation (NPO) will serve before Council for consideration next month, and if approved, the City’s Spatial Planning and Environment Directorate will have the go-ahead to enter into an agreement.
The Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT) consisting of representatives from SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town has identified the proposed partnership with Shark Spotters as the most suitable mechanism to support the implementation of the Baboon Strategic Management Plan.
This 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 benefit of this mechanism is that the Shark Spotters, as an NPO, can receive grant funding from the CPBMJTT partners; as well as 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.
Thus, to summarise:
The report that served before Mayco yesterday indicates the City’s commitment, through a proposed MoA, to contribute R9 million in grant funding to the Shark Spotters in the current financial year; R12 million in 2025/26 and R12 million in 2026/27
The support for the proposed MoA allows for it to be formally submitted to the Shark Spotters for their consideration upon Council approval
Both SANParks and CapeNature have indicated that once the MoA between the City and Shark Spotters is finalised, they will also make contributions to the Shark Spotters, the details of which will be stipulated in their individual agreements or MoAs with the NPO
Once the respective MoAs are in place, the Shark Spotters will engage other organisations to develop partnerships, using resources provided by the CPBMJTT partners to attract additional resources, sponsorships and funding from other sources
In terms of the proposed MoA between the City and the Shark Spotters, the grant funding will be available for the following outcomes, amongst others:
Employment of a field manager and baboon ranger services for stipulated baboon troops, from sunrise to sunset
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 BSMP
Submit monthly operating reports and an annual report
Submit an annual baboon management research report
The MoA with the Shark Spotters will serve before Council for consideration at its meeting on 5 December 2024. Should Council agree, the City will proceed with formally submitting the MoA to the Shark Spotters for their consideration for approval.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
