In a unique perspective, a Cape Peninsula baboon named Jane describes the confusing behaviors of humans that affect her troop's daily life. She highlights scattered food sources and threats from dogs and capture plans. The account comes from the slopes above Simon’s Town near Table Mountain.
Jane, as named by rangers, leads a troop of baboons that roams between the mountain slopes above Simon’s Town and the sea in the Cape Peninsula. She notes that humans leave food accessible in bins, on tables, in cars, and gardens, including grapes, peaches, and vegetables, which attracts the baboons despite their primary foraging on roots, shoots, insects, and mussels from the shore.
Baboons face dangers from unleashed dogs that chase them into neighborhoods for safety, as the mountains lack suitable trees for escape. Humans sometimes respond with sticks, paintballs, or guns, leading to deaths or disappearances of males, which disrupts troop structure. Jane explains that the troop is caring, with mothers carrying infants and the group inspecting newborns through gentle greetings.
Recently, some males have begun accepting existing young in the troop, possibly adapting to losses. Whispers among the baboons mention plans to capture and fence troops, preventing males from reproducing and treating them like zoo exhibits. Jane urges humans to secure their food and adapt, as baboons have been confined to the Peninsula by development.
The piece, inspired by the film 'Waiting for Evolution' by Karin Slater, reflects on human-baboon coexistence near Table Mountain.