a dominant baboon named Split Lip. What began as a normal day quickly turned into a nightmare when the alpha male baboon entered the kitchen, brandishing a glass bottle and a bread knife, instilling fear in the family's members and leading them to lock themselves away for safety.

This terrifying event, which lasted 43 minutes, left a lasting impact on the family’s memory. Split Lip ultimately ravaged the kitchen's contents before a security team arrived and managed to handle the situation. However, the broader issue of human-baboon conflicts in Cape Town has only escalated since then, with numerous reports of baboons brazenly entering local businesses and roaming the streets with stolen goods.

As urban developments encroach upon their natural habitats, baboon troops have grown increasingly emboldened, prompting tense confrontations with residents. The situation has been exacerbated by the disruptions caused during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a decline in the effectiveness of the Urban Baboon Program aimed at monitoring and managing these animals.

Despite past successes in tracking baboon movements and keeping residents informed, the program is now facing criticism for its lack of implementation and efficiency in recent times. Figures from the annual census reveal that more than 500 chacma baboons continue to inhabit the areas south of Cape Town, which has raised concerns over public safety, particularly as instances of disease transmission, such as giardia, become more common following encounters with these animals.

Local community activists, including Jenni Trethowan from the Baboon Matters organization, are pushing for a judicial remedy to improve the management of baboons in urban areas. Their proposed solutions include better waste management strategies, enhanced protective measures, and additional rangers for surveillance.

As Cape Town braces for an influx of tourists during the holiday season, there are concerns about the unintentional feeding of baboons. The local populace remains anxious about their future safety, highlighting the need for officials to implement well-researched solutions promptly, especially as the New Year approaches and the tourists depart, leaving residents to face the challenges posed by these large, unpredictable monkeys.