Wild baboons invading vehicles in Cape Town,
South Africa
25-11-2009 The Associated Press, The Dallas Morning News, USA
CAPE TOWN, South Africa – Visitors to South Africa's premier holiday destination who are worried about the country's high crime rate could find themselves victimized by an unusually furry kind of felon: baboons. The cheeky primates have learned how to open car doors and jump through windows in pursuit of tasty snacks, and city officials are battling to control the increasingly aggressive troupes.
SCHALK VAN ZUYDAM/The Associated Press - A baboon dubbed Fred treated himself to a piece of bread Tuesday after entering a vehicle just outside of Cape Town, South Africa.
'RESCUING TOURISTS'
On Tuesday, a group of 29 baboons raided cars near Simon's Town, a small coastal area. A baboon dubbed Fred, leader of the group, opened doors and jumped through windows to look for food. A girl screamed as a baboon hopped into her car through a back window. Others climbed on car roofs and hoods, looking for ways inside. "We spend the whole day basically rescuing tourists," said Mark Duffels, a volunteer who tries to keep the animals at bay.
17 ROAMING TROUPES
About 420 baboons in 17 troupes roam the city's outskirts, especially the popular scenic sites along the coast. Baboons are a protected species in South Africa, but their pursuit of food has led to conflict with residents.
WORLD CUP FEARS
Justin O'Riain, who researches baboons at the University of Cape Town, fears that an influx of tourists during the World Cup soccer tournament next year will only feed the primates' taste for human foods. "Tourism is going to go through the roof, and this equals exposure to naive people and rich pickings," he said.
The Associated Press
(Bron: http://www.dallasnews.com/)
(Bron foto: Dallas Morning News)
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