Causes and consequences of mortality and mutilation in the Cape Peninsula baboon population, South Africa

Abstract

In the Cape Peninsula, South Africa, the population of chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) has become locally fragmented and geographically isolated from all other populations in the Western Cape. A census performed in 1999 revealed a baboon population under severe human predation pressure with high levels of permanent injury and mortality, in addition to an adult sex ratio strongly biased towards females. There was no data on the causes or the distribution of deaths and permanent injuries on the Peninsula to inform management decisions. The aim of this study was thus to: a) quantify the frequency, distribution and causes of permanent injuries (mutilations) and deaths within the Cape Peninsula baboon population, and b) to quantify whether mutilations, affect the behaviour, diet and reproductive success of baboons.