Cape Town’s city council has announced it will soon relocate two troops of chacma baboons that have become a growing source of conflict with residents. The animals will be sterilised and moved to a newly built sanctuary. This plan has sparked criticism from animal rights activists, who believe the baboons should be allowed to live freely and that alternative, less disruptive solutions have not been adequately explored. The baboon issue in Cape Town has been escalating since the early 2000s, following the city’s decision to stop culling the animals in the late 1990s due to public opposition. Over the past two years, the situation has worsened. A 2025 census revealed that the baboon population had grown by a third since 2000, from 360 to 493, now divided into 12 managed troops. This increase has led to frequent encounters with residents, as the baboons rip off roof sheeting, sneak into unlocked vehicles, and raid food pantries. In some areas, they are even breaking into homes at night to steal snacks from convenience stores, making it difficult for residents to enjoy outdoor activities like barbecues or garden parties. Justin O’Riain, a behavioural ecologist at the University of Cape Town, highlighted that the animals have impacted property values, as homes covered in baboon faeces and paw prints are hard to sell. The geography of Cape Town also plays a role in the issue. Most of the conflict is concentrated in the Cape Peninsula, a narrow strip of land extending from the city to Cape Point. Here, baboons are trapped between the steep, protected terrain of Table Mountain National Park and the expanding urban areas along the Atlantic Ocean. Joselyn Mormile, who leads the Cape Baboon Partnership (CBP), a nonprofit working with the city and conservation authorities, explained that baboons are drawn to low-lying areas for better access to water and vegetation. However, these areas have largely been developed, creating a persistent clash between urban growth and the baboons’ natural habitat. Initially, the CBP’s 2025 management plan proposed relocating four troops, but this was revised to give two other troops in the northern part of the peninsula a chance to adapt to their environment. Mormile said these troops might find the remaining space suitable. The baboon issue has proven both divisive and costly. Cape Town’s baboon management programme has cost about 20 million rand over 18 months, with full-time rangers monitoring most of the troops to prevent conflicts. In addition to relocating the Waterfall and Seaforth troops, the city plans to build a baboon-proof fence along the northern boundary to separate urban areas from nearby mountains. Some activists and scientists argue that building a fence to exclude these troops would be a better solution than removing them from their environment. However, O’Riain warned that the baboons might simply move to the next available low-lying area once the fence ends, as there may not be enough food in the southern fenced area. Opponents of relocation argue that removing the baboons could cause long-term psychological distress and social disruption among the animals. They also note that baboons play an important ecological role by spreading plant seeds. Chacma baboons are not classified as endangered, but their welfare is already a concern, with some being poisoned, hit by cars, chased by dogs, or shot. O’Riain said that no one should shoot a baboon, but if people feel the authorities are not acting, they may take matters into their own hands. He questioned how much more money would be spent on the baboons in the future, only to face the same problems in a decade, leading to poor welfare for the animals and a lower quality of life for residents.