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.