When I first read that HWS was being paid R32 million p.a. to chase baboons out of Kleinmond, Betty's Bay and Pringle Bay my initial reaction was: What? What for? Down here in Rooi Els we've been living in harmony with our baboons for decades. And it hasn't cost us a zac. Couldn't all that money have been much better spent on far more pressing social issues? But I turned the page thinking, oh well, it takes all kinds. But this morning I woke to the frantic barking of our baboons sounding the alarm. Turns out HWS – shouldn't it be called Inhuman Wildlife Solutions? - had herded Pringle Bay baboons into an area that our baboons, for decades, have been using as their sleepover haven. Not surprisingly our baboons were pissed off! And I am pissed off. HWS can play their stupid, misguided games in Pringle Bay, Betty's Bay and Kleinmond, but they better stay the hell out of our neighbourhood. Their intrusion threatens the perfect, balanced, ecological social fabric we got going here with our baboons. And you better believe we won't stand for it. Trespass on our property and we will prosecute. Cause physical and emotional harm to our baboons and we'll sue and see you in court.
