Tag Archives: Chacma Baboon

Autumn Adventure – Bouncy Baboons

On our way to the Memorial Gate on the 2nd of April, as we were heading home from a wonderful week in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, we got distracted by these rambunctious Baboons! I think they must’ve watched a rugby game at some point…

With one exception, these are all Joubert’s photographs.

Baboons playing “King of the Castle”?

Young Baboons having a jol (photo by Joubert)

A kiss for mom (photo by Joubert)

At last a toy he can call his own (photo by Joubert)

Satara Summer 2021 – Primate Romps

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Every visitor to a game reserve in South Africa knows the “ooh’s” and “aaah’s” that are elicited during an encounter with the continent’s wild primates. These close cousins of ours are always a joy to watch, even if they can be quite naughty (especially when they’ve learned that humans equal feeding opportunities, so please don’t feed them). We were delighted to see some very large troops of Chacma Baboons around Satara during our visit in December 2021.

Baoon troop south of Satara (photo by Joubert)

Baboon troop on the move at Ngotso

This of course presented wonderful opportunities to enjoy all their antics, and often from very close up!

Baboon gymnast

Baboon portrait (photo by Joubert)

Female Chacma Baboon slowly waking up

Baboon youngster

Big male Baboon passing in a hurry (photo by Joubert)

Baboon sentry at his post

A precarious perch (photo by Joubert)

The concentration on this Baboon’s face as he struggled to get the elephant dung off his fingers!

The hand of a big male Chacma Baboon

The way they care for their babies is probably one of the most endearing characteristics about Chacma Baboons, even if the babies will struggle to win the baby photo competition at the local pharmacy…

Wet Baboon piggy-back (photo by Joubert)

Baboon family on the move

Chacma Baboon mother and baby

Baboon baby with a thirst for milk

Thank goodness mom’s back is higher than the wet grass!

Speaking about mothers and babies immediately brings to mind this loving mother Vervet Monkey and her young baby that we saw near Satara on the S100.

Motherly affection in Vervet Monkeys

Of course, this is a very different side of the Vervet’s character from the pestering we witnessed them dish out to a pair of Water Thick-knees!

Not for sensitive viewers: a vicious Baboon assault

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It was the afternoon of the 16th of August 2021 and Joubert and I were parked on the shores of Sunset Dam, just outside Lower Sabie in the Kruger National Park, enjoying the serene scenes playing out all around us as a myriad of birds and animals, including a troop of Chacma Baboons, mingled at the water’s edge.

Baboons peacefully foraging on the shore of Sunset Dam

Suddenly there was a frightful commotion as the baboons started screaming in alarm. Almost immediately we noticed a young baboon, shrieking to high heaven, being chased by two slightly older “teenage” baboons. This in itself was not abnormal, as there is often disagreements in a baboon troop, and peace usually returns quickly after the necessary discipline has been dispatched. The young baboon rushed into the muddy water at the dam’s edge, eliciting even more worried squeals from its mother as Sunset Dam is home to some monster crocodiles.

Baboon attack at Sunset Dam (photo by Joubert)

Baboon attack at Sunset Dam

Baboon attack at Sunset Dam (photo by Joubert)

Baboon attack at Sunset Dam

However, as soon as one of the “teenage” baboons got hold of the youngster, it was clear that this attack was much more sinister. We have no idea about their motive, but judging by the viciousness of their bites to the skull, neck and throat and the very rough way they tried to pull the younger baboon apart limb from limb, there was no doubting that the two teenagers were intent on killing their unfortunate target. At one stage early into the encounter an adult, perhaps the mother of the younger one, tried to intervene but this proved only a temporary reprieve – instead of running away the badly injured youngster tried to hide in the mud again where he was soon cornered once more.

Baboon attack at Sunset Dam

Baboon attack at Sunset Dam (photo by Joubert)

Baboon attack at Sunset Dam

Baboon attack at Sunset Dam (photo by Joubert)

Baboon attack at Sunset Dam

Baboon attack at Sunset Dam (photo by Joubert)

Baboon attack at Sunset Dam

Baboon attack at Sunset Dam (photo by Joubert)

Baboon attack at Sunset Dam

Baboon attack at Sunset Dam (photo by Joubert)

Baboon attack at Sunset Dam

Baboon attack at Sunset Dam (photo by Joubert)

Baboon attack at Sunset Dam

Baboon murder

Baboon attack at Sunset Dam

By now the attack had gone on for about four minutes. Probably as was to be expected, the fracas attracted the attentions of a large crocodile that was hitherto lying dead still on the bank. With the tables likely to be turned on them within a second, the attacking baboons let go of their quarry and ran for safety.

A crocodile breaks up the fight (photo by Joubert)

A crocodile breaks up the fight

The youngster that was so viciously mauled also scampered away, heading over the road towards the Sabie River, and out of our sight. His attackers apparently also lost track of him, as they searched every bush in the general vicinity looking for the young baboon without success.

One of the murderous baboon “teenagers” passing by us as he looks for their victim. (photo by Joubert)

Whether the little one could’ve survived its injuries we’ll never know, nor whether the murderers managed to track him down and finish the job… This definitely was one of the most harrowing experiences we’ve ever had in the bush.

Hell hath no fury like a female Baboon!

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While driving slowly back to Satara Rest Camp along the S100 one evening, we came across a mixed group of Impalas and Baboons peacefully whiling away the final minutes of sunlight at Shibotwana waterhole. It is then that we noticed a Black-backed Jackal moving through the group, obviously looking for an easy meal. The Jackal spied a young Baboon and gave it a little more attention than the Baboon wanted; it shrieked and set off running towards its mother and then things took a very quick turn for the worse for the Jackal, who managed to escape a serious hiding by the skin of his teeth!

Black-backed Jackal eyeing a young Chacma Baboon

The little Baboon starts running to safety, raising the alarm

And here comes mom to his rescue!

Baboon chasing a Black-backed Jackal

Fun in the Mountains!

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We’re still enjoying our holiday in the Drakensberg very much, and it seems we’re not the only ones taking a break!

Chacma Baboon

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Papio ursinus ursinus

The Chacma Baboon is the biggest wild primate occurring in South Africa. Males can weigh up to 50kg, while females are more lightly built and weigh up to 28kg.

Evil-looking juvenile Baboon

Pensive baboon

Baby baboon missing out on attention

Baboons abound along the Sabie

Baboon near Satara

Baboon smile

Young baboon

Chacma Baboon

Baboons grooming

Baboons can be found in virtually any habitat, provided there is a reliable supply of drinking water and safe places to sleep at night (usually in the form of tall trees, cliffs or caves). They are equally easy to please when it comes to their diet, taking fruit, berries, grass, leaves, flowers, mushrooms, roots and tubers, insects, scorpions, snails, eggs, small birds, reptiles and mammals (including the lambs of antelope) and, along the coast, molluscs, crayfish, crabs, etc. Unfortunately they quickly learn that humans and their waste is an easy source of food, and in many reserves, towns and cities have become quite adept at raiding human habitations.

Bold baboons frequent the camp at Giant’s Castle

And then quickly grabbing a loaf of bread from an unguarded kitchen

Preparing for their early morning raid on the camp

Baboon

Baboon scratching for grass roots

Baboon acrobats

Baboons

Baboons are a common sight at Giant’s Castle

Thirsty Baboon

Surveying the landscape

Baboons taking a swim on a hot day

Baboon

Baboons at Umbondwe Picnic Spot

Chacma Baboon on a cliff-face

Baboons at Umbondwe Picnic Spot

Chacma Baboon

You stuck what in there!?

Baboons frequent the camp in the mornings

Chacma Baboons keep to large troops, some over 300 animals in size, in which a strict hierarchy is maintained, sometimes through violent fights. This dominance hierarchy determines where an individual will feature when it comes to access to food, water, sleeping spots and mating partners. They also forge alliances and friendships strengthened by mutual grooming. Lower ranking adult males take turns to act as sentinels on the look-out for danger. Chacma Baboons are diurnal and mainly terrestrial and troops can cover as much as 15km in a day while foraging. Because they have such keen senses Baboons are often accompanied by other herbivores.

Bold baboons frequent the camp at Giant’s Castle

Baboon

Time for some mutual grooming before the game begins

Playful baboons at Kumasinga

Roofing thatch apparently make wonderful toys for little baboons

The big males are the most confident

Baboon

Baboons

A huge troop of baboons

Baboon beauty treatment

Baboons often pass through camp looking for scraps and stealing from the accommodation units

Male Baboon taking a break

Fast asleep in the early morning sun

Male Baboon taking a break

Baboons have learnt that unlocked cars could be an easy source of food

Yawn!

Baboon escaping from a chalet at Thendele Camp

Chacma Baboon

Time for grooming

Wet Baboon after a rainstorm

Baboon surveying the landscape

Baboons having fun at Lengau Dam

Baboons relaxing in the shade

Baboons settling in for the night

Baboon

Baboons huddling together in the rays of early morning

Baboon

Young Baboon disliking the attention of human onlookers (photo by Joubert)

Young Baboon

Chacma Baboon

Female Baboons give birth to single young (rarely twins) at any time of the year. Newborn babies hang from their mother’s tummy when she’s walking, while older babies ride on her back like a jockey. Youngsters remain dependant on their mother until they are at least a year old. Females remain in their maternal troop when they reach adulthood, while young males join other troops. All animals in the troop are extremely protective of babies, and when attacked by a predator the large males will usually launch a counter attack. Leopards are the main threat to adult baboons, but they are not easy prey by any means. Chacma Baboons have a life expectancy of up to 45 years in the wild.

Like father, like son. Baboon spectators at Kumasinga

Baby baboon getting a piggy-back ride

Baby Baboon getting a piggy-back ride

Baboon jockey

Shingwedzi jungle-gym

Baboon family life

Baboon mothers make excellent vantage points!

Young Baboons hang from their mother’s tummy

Older babies ride on mom’s back like jockeys

Young Chacma Baboon

Young Baboons love playing

Sibling bonding

Baboon youngsters at speed!

Baboon youngster

Levitating Chacma baboon youngster

Female Baboon in oestrus

Baboons

Chacma Baboons

Chacma Baboons (photo by Joubert)

Baboons on the roof of the reception office at Potberg

The IUCN regards the Chacma Baboon as being of least concern in conservation terms. Despite being persecuted as vermin in farming areas and suburbs, the Chacma Baboon remains common and widespread, and is one of the few large mammals still regularly encountered outside the formal conservation areas in South Africa. They can be found in virtually every nature reserve and national park in the country, but in our experience they are most easily viewed at the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, Garden Route National Park, Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, Kruger National Park, Pilanesberg National Park and uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park. Chacma Baboons also occur in Angola, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho.

Baboon male

Young Chacma Baboon

Female baboon with baby

Baboon posing for a photo

Baboon on a wet thatch roof at Giant’s Castle

Young Chacma Baboon

Baboon youngster thinking of mischief

Grooming Chacma Baboons

Baboons are probably the most easily seen mammal in Giant’s Castle, as they move through the Rest Camp daily

A pair of mating baboons high in the mountains

Baboons are probably the most easily seen mammal in Giant’s Castle, as they move through the Rest Camp daily

Baboons use precarious beds

Baboon chasing a Black-backed Jackal

Baboon

Baby baboon

Baboon

Baboon sentry

Baboon

Young Baboon

Curious baby Baboon

Baboons

Baboon

Chacma Baboon

Baboons

Baboons in Mapungubwe National Park

Baboon feeding on water plants in Mapungubwe National Park

Baboons in Mapungubwe National Park

Baboons in Mapungubwe National Park (photo by Joubert)

Baboon antics at Kumasinga

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Joubert and I had great fun with the jolly baboons at uMkhuze Game Reserve‘s Kumasinga Hide – their fun and games kept us entertained for hours! Just confirmation again of why Kumasinga is one of the best and most popular photographic hides in the country.

The big males didn’t play along much…

Like father, like son. Baboon spectators at Kumasinga

Time for some mutual grooming before the game begins

The big males didn’t play along much…

Playful baboons at Kumasinga

The big males didn’t play along much, but when they did the youngsters yielded very quickly

Playful baboons at Kumasinga

The hide itself becomes a jungle gym!

Baboon antics in Glen Reenen

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People will always find the primates entertaining, and the baboon troops in Golden Gate Highlands National Park is no exception. However, when they come foraging between the accommodation units and in the camping site at Glen Reenen Rest Camp they can really cause havoc. They’ll inspect every open window to see what’s inside a car, tent or hut, and will help themselves to whatever they find that even vaguely resembles food, while the naughty little ones can cause quite a lot of damage to property and structures with their rough-and-tumble play.

Preparing for their early morning raid on the camp

Acting all innocently while the witnesses are around

Walking nonchalantly into Glen Reenen

The big males are the most confident

Confidently walking among the huts

And then quickly grabbing a loaf of bread from an unguarded kitchen

Baby yelling as the campers retaliate

Roofing thatch apparently make wonderful toys for little baboons

King of the castle!

A month of monochrome memories: Morning, Baboon

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The sun has just lifted its head above the Pilanesberg’s hills, and this male baboon is surveying the area before the troop sets off foraging. Having settled onto his comfortable seat, all he seems to need now is his morning coffee!

Pilanesberg 29122015 (1)

Our end-of-year 2015 holidays were absolutely packed to the brim. Apart from our ten-day visit to the Kruger National Park (read more about our time at Lower Sabie, Olifants and Shingwedzi in December), we also made day trips to five other reserves, and will be sharing photos from those (except Suikerbosrand, which we introduced in a post all of its own) daily through the month of February, in a series we call “a month of monochrome memories”.

Boisterous Baby Baboons

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Driving around the Kruger National Park, especially along one of the major rivercourses, you’re bound to come across a troop or two of baboons. Watching their behaviour and especially their human-like interactions is extremely entertaining.

We encountered this little group one afternoon along the Shingwedzi River, during our September 2014 visit. While the big male watched, sometimes with what seemed like considerable concern for their well-being, the energetic little ones were clambering into a small tree and jumping down again, over and over again, their happiness clearly written all over their faces…