Cape Peninsula Civil Conservation

14/07/2026

EDIT: 💚💙🩶💚 Apex, the baboon who was in Fish Hoek has 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗸𝗼𝗽 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗽 where he is currently being received without conflict. This is a very good outcome. We wish it will last.

Appreciation to Baboon Management for giving him the support and opportunity that this could happen.

___________________________

❗🐒𝗕𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗙𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗛𝗼𝗲𝗸

The baboon known as Apex who had for the past week been on Fish Hoek mountainside, was captured by authorities this morning for relocation.

Our organisation has been given reassurance by authorities that he will be given an opportunity to join a troop and that he can choose to approach the troop at his will or not. Apex will be moved to a wild area in proximity to 2 troops, the Slangkop Troop and the Da Gama Troop. He is unlikely to try to return to Slangkop troop after being chased out, and the Da Gama troop is currently the focus of research monitoring their stress levels and troop and individual movements. We were assured that should this solo baboon approach the Da Gama troop his presence would not in any way interfere with research (please see previous post to be informed and comment on the research).

It is a real possibility that, due to his non-dominance and poor vision, Apex does not approach or integrate into a troop in the time allowed him; in this case the baboon management protocol would indicate euthanasia.

Fish Hoek Residents: Thank you so much for you calm and kind cooperation and making his stay a peaceful event free of drama.
We wish Apex well on his way. He is for sure going to have some challenges but all we can do now is wish him well.
Thank you, You've been great neighbours. 🙏🏽🧡🩷🧡

12/07/2026

𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘆. From Thursday 9 July, a significant number of the baboons of the Da Gama troop were again collared for the purpose of scientific research. There was a lot of controversy when the same troop was collared for research in 2018. We gathered information for you from baboon management around the “why", the "how" and the details of the collars themselves for the current research. 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁? Is this opportunistic science of does this genuinely support baboon management?

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸? - Have a read through and tell us your thoughts in the comments below. As members of the Baboon Advisory Group we will raise valid concerns with authorities and do what we can to get answers to serious questions. FYI We did not input on decisions around this research.

The research wants to test different ways of influencing baboon behaviour to keep our “hairy cuzzins” out of the urban areas. If successful this could add to the current management tools and make baboon management more effective. The project uses a variety of smell, sound, and visual cues to test the responses of fear and disgust that all primates experience, to see if this makes baboons avoid certain areas or behaviours.

💩 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮 𝗯𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗹𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗽 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗻𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗽 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗮 𝗹𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲?
🐆 Similarly would baboons be swayed by the sound of a leopard call or might they just put it down to the usual strange mix of urban sounds around the local pub?
💩 How effective is "disgust" for baboons who are used to going through bins with all kinds of filth including nappies and sanitary ware?

Researchers say that through bringing in realistic sights, sounds, and scents, they will test a variety of cues to see if any could change the way baboons make decisions about where to move, forage, and rest. We will certainly be asking more about the specific cues of disgust and fear being trialled.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘅𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
* Researchers following the troop will observe baboon behaviour to assess if there is a shift in response to the stimuli presented.
* Faecal and urine samples will be collected from the ground after natural eliminations. These samples can be tested to measure responses such as a possible increase in stress hormones
* GPS accelerometer collars on baboons will allow for measurement of fine body movements, including how fast baboons move in response to stimulus and where and how they move.

When Swansea University collared the same troop 8 years ago for research, there were complaints from resident observers that the collars seemed very unkind especially to mothers with infants. These collars are a little smaller and researchers say there will be a 2cm finger width between neck and collar so the mother baboon can move the collar to the side if she needs to tuck her head down towards baby.

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀
▪ Whilst the research project spans 3 months, the collars will be on for a total of 8 weeks.
▪ In order to fit the collars, baboons were sedated by an experienced wildlife veterinarian, with the SPCA in attendance to give oversight.
▪ Whereas initially it had been the intention to collar all of the adult baboons in this troop, some baboons were not collared in respect of welfare
▪ The collars are programmed to drop off automatically after 8 weeks, meaning that no additional capture and sedation is required.
▪ Throughout the 8-week collar and research period, Cape Baboon Partnership staff and the SPCA will closely monitor the collared baboons to ensure there are no unanticipated concerns for their welfare.
▪ The collars used for this research are made by Swansea University
▪ Collar is 7 mm thickness, 400 to 500mg weight 4cm wide
▪ Up until now we still don't have dimensions of the box on the collar, but an indication can be seen in the photograph supplied.
▪ The collars have three separate units attached: a GPS, an accelerometer, and a drop-off mechanism.
▪ The total weight of each collar is between 400 and 500 grams, depending on the length of the collar band.
▪ This is the same weight as typical management collars and is well within the recommended allowance of less than 5% of the baboon's body weight.
▪ The research has animal ethics clearance from Swansea University, research permits from CapeNature and SANParks, and the NSPCA has been notified of the research.

This project is conducted by Dr. Cécile Sarabian from Swansea University in collaboration with Cape Baboon Partnership.

We are still pressing for researchers in the field to be wearing CBP jackets, bibs or uniform.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 "𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗱𝘀" 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲.

31/03/2026

On behalf of the Bukwana Family, thank you very much, to everybody: "During the time of the death of our son, we appreciate everything you have done"

We at CPCC invite our followers to wish safe journey to the family, and to those who hold Bukwana dear, as they travel to Eastern Cape for the funeral.

22/03/2026

Dear friends and neighbours, some of you may remember the face on the left, Mpindezelo David Bukwana, a baboon ranger who was actually our longest serving ranger baboon ranger ever. He served with the Da Gama troop for more than 20 years, from the earliest less formal baboon rangers through more formalised. In Nov 2024 Bukwana became sick and after a long time in hospital, had to leave his job due to longterm disability. Although he had more than 20 years continuous employment in the same job, because it was different contracts due to tenders and so on he, he left with no pension.

A series of strokes left Bukwana with great difficulty walking, using one arm and great difficulty talking and communicating. His wife cares for him. The load on the family has been heavy without any adults able to earn and also it's just a lot to deal with practically and emotionally.

This week, the young son of the family died tragically. At only 15 years old the death of Luve, in pic on the right, is shattering. Many children in the community were at school with Luve who was in Grade 10 at Simon's Town High.

To support the family we have opened a collection to help cover funeral costs and transport to the Eastern Cape. Please donate via our non-profit - all of money donated will go to the family, just be sure to label your donation with reference "Bukwana". Any amount is welcome, it can all add up. Bukwana served this community for more than 20 years, let's now be there for him too.

ABSA Bank
Name: Cape Peninsula Civil Conservation
Acc 4106922734
Branch 632005
Ref: BUKWANA (+ your surname)
POP: [email protected]

16/03/2026

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸𝘆 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 "𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗸" we could pull over ourselves and just simply disappear to get out of trouble - 𝗼𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗽𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 "𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲". This truly awesome ability allows them to avoid and escape a lot of dangers. So even though we may often have octopuses around us when we are swimming in some of the South Peninsula swim spots, we very rarely see them.

Octopuses make use of 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝘀 to change their colour, their pattern, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 their skin texture in milliseconds to blend into their surroundings and avoid predators. They are able match perfectly the color and texture of seaweed, rocks, sand, or coral.

𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿-𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗺: Octopuses have pigment cells called 𝘤𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴. These chromatophores are only red, yellow, black yet they can confer the full array of necessary colours. To activate colour changes, muscles expand or contract the chromatophores. The colour shifts happen very fast, in under a second, to match the brightness and pattern of their surroundings.

𝗧𝗲𝘅𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Octopuses are able to change not only the colour of their skin, but also the texture of their skin for optimal camouflage. To change texture they use muscular protrusions called 𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘦. Their skin can change from smooth to bumpy or spiky, mimicking surrounding textures like seaweed or sand.

𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲: Octopuses employ three main strategies: uniform (blending with a flat-colored background), mottled (matching small-scale dark/light backgrounds), and disruptive (breaking up their outline to escape recognition).

𝗥𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗱 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 : The entire process is nerve-controlled, allowing them to shift appearances nearly instantaneously.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗼𝘂𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝘅 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱. An octopus needs to see and process consciously what it is seeing and activate appropriate response. Octopuses do not seem to sleep so their camouflage can work 24/7. It is astounding to consider that octopuses achieve this great degree of camouflage based on what they see, even though *they are colourblind* .

This fabulous video is a great demonstration and explanation of the octopuses camouflage process

When marine biologist Roger Hanlon captured the first scene in this video, he started screaming. Hanlon studies camouflage in cephalopods -- squid, cuttlefis...

13/02/2026

💡It's been a very confusing week re Indemnity Forms for Table Mountain National Park but here, for the end of the week, at least it's good news:

📢 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸
South African National Parks (SANParks) has suspended the indemnity and verification form requirement at Table Mountain National Park with immediate effect.

The measure was introduced to strengthen verification and governance processes. However, SANParks acknowledges that its implementation led to operational delays and visitor frustration. We have listened to the concerns raised by visitors and tourism partners and have acted decisively.
Over the next twelve months, SANParks will implement a fully digitised ID and passport verification system at park gates, including high-speed scanning technology to ensure accurate compliance while delivering a seamless visitor experience.
During this transition, gate operations will continue without the indemnity form requirement.

Ends
Issued by: South African National Parks (SANParks) 13 February 2026

~ via Cape Peninsula Civil Conservation

10/02/2026

‼️𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺: A day after implementing Indemnity Forms at all SANParks facilities through Table Mountain National Park, SANParks has ammended the stance. 𝗕𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗲𝘅𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁, 𝗮𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲/ 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲

Indemnity forms 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱 only to access designated picnic and braai facilities at 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁, 𝗢𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗸𝗿𝗮𝗮𝗹, 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝗸𝗮𝗶. 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻-𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀, 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀.

Digital ID scanning will be used at the Cape Point (Cape of Good Hope) and Boulders Penguin Colony entrances to enable accurate tariff application where locally discounted rates apply.

SANParks - Table Mountain National Park says personal information will be managed in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).

See the latest full SANParks statement here:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GVdzYMDTF/

____________________

Further relevant details from Original announcement 10 February 2026:

❗Effective as of 10 February 2026, 𝗦𝗔𝗡𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 for access to picnic and braai areas, and for overnight visitors. Only one form is necessary per group or vehicle, but it needs to contain the SA ID numbers or foreign passport numbers of all in the group or vehicle. Indemnity Forms can be downloaded, completed, in advance and must be handed in at entrance gate.

Visitors are encouraged where possible to have the completed forms ready when you reach the gate - 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲https://www.sanparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Table-Mountain-National-Park.pdf

19/01/2026

18/01/2026

𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺, 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗹𝘆

Mukona Mukhari confided a while back that attending Lawhill Maritime Centre at Simon's Town School was his dream. As of this week, he is living it! 🥳✨

As we grew through different youth empowerment programs over the past 4 years, Mukona grew with us at CPCC. In Nature Club, he was the first to volunteer to let a big spider crawl over him when we learned about Spiders. In time, he participated in the full range of activities from hikes to growing indigenous plants, and numerous litter clean ups in service to the community. When Dog Club started, Mukona enjoyed attending with his much loved dog Zoe. More recently, Mukona has been a keen and brave participant in our Safe in the Sea programme - he was courageous and determined enough to learn to swim even in the coldest winter months. 🥶

Over the past year, Mukona engaged further, joining our small team as a volunteer. In this capacity he helped organise the weekly ⚽ soccer coaching as part of youth empowerment program, and he volunteered to manage the kit. He also assisted with the younger youth at other events and helped with some broader background admin for our small non-profit organisation.

This week we congratulate Mukona Mukhari on the beginning his education at the prestigious Lawhill Maritime Centre at Simon's Town School. Although we miss you, we are happy for all that we have shared and we thank you for all you gave, to all around you.

🌈May more of your dreams come true - may you be really deeply genuinely happy and may you inspire others to also reach out courageously, to fulfill their dreams. Of course we'll stay in touch.