Baboons ‘hijack’ tourist’s car in South Africa – WATCH

Tourists to South Africa were taken by surprise when a couple of baboons jumped into their car! Watch the video, sent in by Agi Orfanos, below.

The incident took place in the Cape Point Nature Reserve at the Cape of Good Hope, a popular tourist spot as it is the most south western point of Africa, and is near Cape Town.

Local photographer Agi Orfanos, who was sent the video on WhatsApp, joked with SAPeople: “We all love food and car rides. What’s wrong with some sharing!”

The video begins with a tourist noticing a baboon helping itself to the contents of his boot. But when he goes to scare it away, it jumps on the roof… and then jumps down on the other side and effortlessly opens the backseat door.

The shocked tourist tries to encourage the baboon to vacate his car, but it ignores him, happily munching on bananas from a box marked ‘Naartjies’; and is soon joined by a friend. While the tourist manages to keep one or two baboons out of his car, he is soon approached by a local who warns him that baboons can bite and that he needs to move away from the baboons and his car.

With the help of locals, the baboons finally exit the vehicle… but not empty-handed!

WATCH baboons’hijack’ tourist’s car in South Africa

A tourist from Atlanta said when they visited Cape Town in 2019 they were chased by five baboons in Cape of Good Hope. Others joked about reporting a carjacking to the police, and having to describe the assailants; and that the baboons were looking for a joyride.

Cape Town is renowned for its baboons and the municipality says the wilder baboon troops keep their distance BUT in popular tourist areas, such as Cape Point, “they can become quite aggressive if fed by humans”.

The City of Cape Town says: “We have to respect baboons, understanding that they are just trying to adapt to changes in their natural environment, but we also need to be careful of them since they are powerful animals and can be unpredictable…”

Nature-based tourism is a big part of Cape Town’s multi-billion Rand tourism industry. “The Chacma baboon, an icon of the Cape Peninsula, forms part of our rich biodiversity and natural heritage,” says the City.

People, especially tourists, feed baboons, says City of Cape Town

“People have, especially in the past, fed baboons at stopping points near natural reserves and parks. This has encouraged baboons to seek out human food. Baboons may become aggressive in an effort to get more food from you. Feeding baboons also teaches bad habits that may ultimately lead to the animals death (usually by euthanasia),” says the City of Cape Town

Feeding baboons is punishable by law! Anyone caught feeding baboons may face a fine of up to R10, 000 and/or two years’ imprisonment. You can report feeding baboons to National Environmental Crimes and Incidents Hotline (24 hours): 0800 205 005

How to deal with baboons if you’re out and about

• If you see baboons on the road, slow down.
• Lock all doors and keep your windows and sunroof closed as baboons are highly intelligent and have learned to open doors (as these tourists discovered)
• Baboons may also enter a car through the windows to snatch food.
• Enjoy the baboons from the safety of the vehicle.
• Food should never be visible through the windows.
• Pack bags and food items in the boot of the vehicle (trunk) or under the seats (and keep the boot closed!!)
• Stay in your vehicle! (Unless the baboons are already in your car!)
• Avoid any close contact with the baboons.
• Don’t feed baboons. This is punishable by law!
• Watch out for red feather banners; officials place these as a warning that baboons are close by.
• Do not throw items out of vehicle windows.

You can download pamphlets on Tourist Baboon Safety and Understanding Baboons on the City of Cape Town website.

Baboon hotline

If you are having any problems, call the 24-hour Baboon Hotline:

Gordon’s Bay hotline

Telephone:
021 957 4725 (ext 2413061)
Cape Peninsula hotline

Telephone:
071 588 6540
You can also email baboons@capetown.gov.za to report incidents or concerns about the baboons.