Residents of sleepy Simon's Town have long complained about losing the battle against raiding baboons.
The battle may already be lost, judging by pictures circulating this week of baboons reclining inside the South African Navy's dockyard guardhouse on the main road.
Baboons have long menaced the naval barracks on the outskirts of town and make regular forays into the navy's kitchen close to the dockyard. However, the baboon-occupied guardhouse is proof, quipped some commentators this week, that baboons are now in charge.
Though mostly unoccupied, the brick guardhouse is still used occasionally as shelter for duty staff at the entrance opposite a row of trendy coffee shops. It was empty when the Sunday Times visited, but there was no shortage of baboon stories from residents who confirmed the animals appear to enjoy the guardhouse.
“I even saw a baboon pick up a file and stick it under her arm,” said a waitress from Think Coffee, directly opposite. “Then it started pulling pages out and throwing them around.”
She said a baboon had on Tuesday tried to make off with a big chocolate cheesecake, but settled for a packet of rusks after staff fought back.
“We like to watch them when things get quiet in the shop,” she said.
A navy recruit on duty at a bigger guardhouse in the dockyard confirmed baboons were regular visitors.
While the pictures of baboons in the guardhouse lit up social media, some were unimpressed: “So sad it's not even funny,” said Mari Vermeulen on Facebook.
Shop owners on the main road said the effect on their business was no laughing matter: “My shop has been raided, it cost me a fortune. One guy came out of my shop carrying a croissant and the baboon went for him — so he just threw the croissant.”
He said the baboons had become accustomed to a high sugar diet.
At the Jameelah Superette on the main road baboons grab what they can get, though apples and bananas are a regular target, said shopkeeper Touch Hussaien. “They come every day. If I didn't chase them away they would take the whole shop.”
Despite the nuisance factor, baboons are popular with tourists, who marvel at how local baboon monitors sometimes usher members of the troop across the main road, at times over a busy zebra crossing.
Elsewhere baboon tolerance appears to be wearing thin. Frustration at raiding behaviour may account for two fatal baboon shootings in the town earlier this month.
“Nothing justifies illegal, unethical or cruel behaviour,” said Cape of Good Hope SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham.
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