Cape of Good Hope SPCA ‘sickened’ after second wounded baboon is euthanised in a week

An adult male baboon from the Waterfall troop in Simon’s Town was euthanised on Monday, 27 February, after being blinded in both eyes. The injuries appear to have been caused by a pepper round — a projectile that disperses pepper particles — fired into his face at close range. 

Nomahlehle, also known as baboon WF8, was admitted to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, where he was examined by three veterinarians over the course of three days. An assessment by a veterinary ophthalmologist confirmed that Nomahlehle would never recover vision in his right eye, and was unlikely to recover much vision in his left eye, even with invasive treatment. 

This is the second time in a week that a baboon from the Simon’s Town area had to be euthanised. On Tuesday, 21 February, an adult male baboon from the Smitswinkel troop, known locally as Van Damme, was euthanised due to serious injuries. Aside from wounds sustained in a fight with another baboon, he also had up to 15 penetrating injuries from pellet gun projectiles.

Read more in Daily Maverick: “Beloved’ Simon’s Town baboon euthanised, X-rays reveal several bullet wounds” 

“We are frankly sickened at having to once again euthanise a baboon that has suffered at the hands of people in the community alongside its natural home range, while merely trying to exist as he and his kind have done for eons,” said Jaco Pieterse, SPCA chief inspector. 

“That a community finds itself in conflict with baboons because they cannot mind their food waste and remove other food attractants, should not be at the expense of our fast-disappearing biodiversity, of which baboons are an integral part.” 

Nomahlehle had 22 penetrating pellet gun wounds on his body, according to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA. He also suffered from severe dental disease, including an infected canine tooth and a large abscess in his mouth. 

“His dental condition was likely the result of a diet containing human food waste scavenged from easily accessible dustbins and unprotected gardens over many years,” stated the SPCA. 

Another adult male baboon, Ian, has taken over the leadership of the Waterfall troop. However, members of the group have strong bonds with one another and will probably continue looking for Nomahlehle for some time, according to Luana Pasanisi, founder of the Green Group of Simon’s Town.  

“There’s a lot of anguish, especially amongst certain members. [Nomahlehle] has a female that he has grown up with who’s an amputee, and she relied on him,” said Pasanisi. “It’s horrible to think that she now is still looking [for him]. This female is disabled and she’s just had his baby.” 

While baboons have long been persecuted by humans, Pasanisi noted a rise in a “lynch mob mentality” among residents on the urban fringe.  

“I think the brazenness of the persecution is horrific,” she said. 

There is plenty of information available on how a person can secure their property and waste to reduce attractants for baboons, according to Lorraine Holloway, founder of Baboons of the South. 

“Education is done through Facebook, WhatsApp and the media, and distribution of pamphlets within waste ‘hotspots’,” she said. “There are also groups who run education programmes for children, and there are websites where people can access information,” she said. 

“However, education needs to be better coordinated … Tourist education is all but non-existent, other than signs along the road.” 

Some common recommendations for baboon-proofing property include installing locks on bins, installing burglar bars across windows and enclosing vegetable gardens and compost heaps. 

Enforcing legal protections 

• Cape of Good Hope SPCA: 021 700 4158/9 or 083 326 1604 (after hours) or [email protected] 


• Law Enforcement: 021 596 1999 


• CapeNature: 087 087 4021 OR 082 773 4278 


• NCC Baboon Hotline: 071 588 6540