Border post terror baboons a nightmare
http://www.iol.co.za/

March 07 2010 at 11:46AM
By Eleanor Momberg

The reign of terror of a troop of baboons at the busy Beit Bridge border
post in Limpopo may soon be a thing of the past - that is if customs
officials and the Public Servants Association (PSA) have their way.

The baboons, which live on the walkway underneath the bridge over the
Limpopo River that marks the border between South Africa and Zimbabwe, have
become expert thieves, terrorising not only customs officials but also
pedestrians, motorists and truckers.

"The walkway, which is like a tunnel, is used by bridge inspectors and the
anti-smuggling unit. There are about 200 baboons living on the walkway,
probably because it is safe from predators," said Pieter Koen, PSA Limpopo
provincial manager.

Koen said the baboons had not been a problem initially, but had, in recent
months, become increasingly bold and dangerous.

He said the troop no longer went out into the veld to search for berries and
other food. They now opted for the easy pickings from humans.

The baboons had learnt to open latches on trailers to get at cooler boxes,
and had also taken to targeting pedestrians whose luggage they could easily
grab and escape with.

"They grab whatever possessions pedestrians have, run away, rip them open
and steal the food.

"They cause damage to cars by jumping and playing on them, breaking wiper
blades, aerials and side mirrors, and they are pestering the South African
Revenue Services employees when they inspect trucks," he said.

The baboons had also started terrorising SARS officials who lived in the
staff village nearby.

"Once dawn breaks the baboons start running on their house roofs making it
impossible to sleep."

The situation had got so bad that the PSA had, on behalf of the customs and
anti-smuggling unit members and other union members working and living at
Beit Bridge, approached the Limpopo department of economic development,
environment and tourism, as well as SARS for help.

Koen said the provincial conservation authorities had tried several times to
capture and remove the baboons without success.

"They said the troop was so big they couldn't catch them all.They will not
leave willingly given that they have easy access to food."

Sounds like a cropping exercise is in order...

Late night R5 with sound moderator and spot light work...

I'll join you!

The old brown paper bag, rubber cobra and a bucket of white paint routine might be worth a try.

Leave them please they the only creatures i know in south africa that can terrorise SARS employees

quote:

Originally posted by luan:
Leave them please they the only creatures i know in south africa that can terrorise SARS employees

We need to send some to SARS main office in JHB...

LOL

lol ...any bobo that can irritate Sars has got my support,let them do their thing.

hell that baboon in our white house will make them all czars of something if he can get em to washington dc.................................

quote:

Leave them please they the only creatures i know in south africa that can terrorise SARS employees

Best post I have read on AR. Bravo, Luan

Gyus

Iwill turn a greeny for that bobos and donate 1000 rand every month to buy bananas and give oranges from my farm for free on 1 condition:The SARS employees must carry 5 bananas an 3 oranges on them at all time.

GO BABOONS

quote:

Originally posted by luan:
Gyus

Iwill turn a greeny for that bobos and donate 1000 rand every month to buy bananas and give oranges from my farm for free on 1 condition:The SARS employees must carry 5 bananas an 3 oranges on them at all time.

GO BABOONS