These Chacma
Baboons were photographed in the Cape Point Nature Reserve, Western
Cape, South
Africa on a customized Aves Western Cape
Birding Tour.
Chacma
Baboon
The Chacma
baboon - Papio ursinus -
also known as the Cape baboon,
is one of the largest of all baboons. They are found in Southern
Africa and size and colour vary within this range. Chacmas inhabit
a wide array of habitats, from the grassy alpine slopes of the Drakensberg, to
the Kalahari desert.
Description
The male is the
heaviest of all Baboons and considerably larger than the female. They are generally dark brown to grey in colour, with
a patch of rough hair on the nape of its neck. The most distinctive feature of
this baboon is its long, downward sloping face. Males can have canine teeth as
long as 2 inches, longer than a lion's canine teeth.
Food
They are
omnivorous with a preference for fruits, while also eating insects, seeds,
grass and smaller vertebrate animals. The Chacma baboon is generally a
scavenger when it comes to game meat.
Breeding
Conservation Status – Least Concern
The Chacma baboon
is widespread and does not rank among threatened animal species. However, in
some confined locations such as South
Africa's Southern Cape Peninsula, local
populations are dwindling due to habitat loss, as well as predation from other
protected species, such as leopards and lions.
Observations by
those working hands-on in South
Africa's rehabilitation centres, have found
that this species is damaged by human intervention; troop structures are
influenced and over the years there has been a significant loss in numbers.
Because they live near human habitats, baboons are shot, poisoned,
electrocuted, run over and captured for the pet industry, research laboratories
and muthi (medicine). Snaring primates and other species for bushmeat has
become a growing problem around poverty stricken areas.
Game viewing
Ask Aves Birding Tours/Safaris/Adventures to
create a tour for you or book on one of the following Aves Birding Tour/Safaris/Adventures see these Baboons: -
Aves Arid Birding
Tour/Safari/Adventure
Aves Eastern Cape Birding
Tour / Safari /Adventure.
Aves Highlands / Tembe Birding Tour / Safari /
Adventure.
Aves KZN Birding
Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves North East
Birding Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves North West Birding Tour
/ Safari / Adventure.
Aves Western Cape Birding
Tour / Safari / Adventure.
Aves West Coast
Birding Tour / Safari /Adventure.