In Cape Town, authorities are trying to stop gangs of baboons that attack cars in an effort to get food. The animals know how to open car doors and will jump through car windows to get snacks, which they now associate with humans and cars because so many people have fed them. They're a protected animal, which means the most elegant solution -- i.e. shooting them -- isn't an option.
Image via AP
No but I bet a 50,000 volt cattle prod would keep the buggers at bay. If they are going to be rude, they need to be taught manners.
Posted by: Nemesis | Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 02:30 PM
LOL Nemesis!!
Posted by: AJ | Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 02:34 PM
I will bet a car full of poisoned food would do the trick.
Posted by: Searching | Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 02:37 PM
There's somewhere I could go with this in drawing an anology but won't.
Posted by: cripjak | Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 02:38 PM
uh, yeah.. dont go there ...
Posted by: Searching | Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 02:43 PM
If they were in Independence at 1am coming out of the Taco Bell line I bet they would have a fight on their hands...
Posted by: The DB | Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 04:48 PM
I blame the humans
Posted by: Safy | Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 05:21 PM
The baboons were basically 'trained' to raid cars and backpacks by thoughtless humans who thought they were cute and started feeding them.
Now that the baboons EXPECT to be fed, the humans don't think they are *cute* anymore.
Unfortunately irresponsible previous humans have messed things up for current visitors, and even more sadly, for the baboons...
Posted by: Alison from Cape Town | Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 03:47 AM
I agree with you Alison......maybe we should shoot, poison or cattle prod a few of these irresponsible humans and maybe they would get the message!!!
Posted by: CHRISTINE RONALDSON | Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 04:28 AM
Can't you just lock your car doors to keep them out? I mean, that's how you keep random people from getting into your car, I don't dee why it wouldn't work to keep baboons out as well.
Posted by: Babs | Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 06:29 AM
That won't work. The baboons also have an endless supply of wire hangers.
Posted by: JUNGLE JIM | Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 07:23 AM
"maybe we should shoot, poison or cattle prod a few of these irresponsible humans and maybe they would get the message!!!"
OK miss holier than thou smarty pants how do YOU propose to "UNTRAIN" these baboons?? A counseling session or two?? PETA always puts animals before humans, so why don't you go to S. Africa and become the baboon woman?
Posted by: Nemesis | Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 09:05 AM
When I read the headline, I pictured baboons with bandanas. That would've been way cuter. And, with shock value, I'm sure people wouldn't be AS angry at them as they are. Still angry, but with more of a "Whoa" feel to it.
Posted by: roxorz | Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 09:35 AM
Untraining them is easy. Make cars undesirable. You can fill them with adulterated foods, maybe have drivers pepper spray baboons that approach their cars, etc. Lots of techniques you can use. But, it starts with stopping morons from feeding them.
Posted by: Marvin | Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 09:41 AM
Hi Nemesis, I am an active volunteer at CARE, a rehabilitaion centre for baboons in SA, check it out. Humans are living now with a problem they created and will have to find a solution which doesn't involve more abuse.I agree with Marvin, start with the obvious -lock car doors and remember you are dealing with a wild animal not a cuddly toy. Give them the space and respect which all living beings deserve.
Posted by: CHRISTINE | Thursday, November 26, 2009 at 06:34 AM
Some of you are making this way too difficult. Think like a animal for awhile.
Although the humans fed the baboons in the first place, they are now stealing food from humans. Animals understand about stealing food from other animals in the animal kingdom, they are usually in for a big fight. They have to decide if the food is worth the fight or if they can steal the food and get away without getting caught. This is a drama that is going on around the world at all levels in the animal kingdom all the time.
Humans have the right to fight for their food and possessions using whatever means that they have, just the same as the rest of the animal kingdom does.
Posted by: J. Dean | Thursday, November 26, 2009 at 08:23 PM
To J Dean......what a load of rubbish to expect an animal to understand man made rules, it's hardly a fair fight.
Posted by: CHRISTINE | Friday, November 27, 2009 at 09:14 AM
compared to what people to to apes, this is nothing nothing .. we are far from the terrorists..
Posted by: maria monk | Monday, December 21, 2009 at 09:58 AM
can somebody please advise me, we live in Knysna, i've got a 5 month old baby and the baboon is in our house almost every day. Nobody want to help us getting rid of this baboon. I will be forced to shoot the baboon if he comes close to my baby.
Posted by: Annelize Grimmbacher | Wednesday, February 10, 2010 at 01:46 AM
All for one, one for all.*
Posted by: jordan france | Friday, November 12, 2010 at 02:39 AM
Gangs of evil baboons terrorize south africa.. He-he-he :)
Posted by: blogs.kansascity.com | Saturday, March 26, 2011 at 12:29 AM