Baboon hunting in Africa is a popular pastime, especially in South Africa. These primates are known for their intelligence, keen senses, and quick reflexes, making for a challenging African hunting adventure! While baboons are seen as pests, with many landowners eager to rid their farms of them, for hunting enthusiasts these trophies are a great reminder of an unforgettable and unusual experience when game hunting in Africa.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Baboon hunting in Africa is a popular pastime, especially in South Africa where these creatures are often hunted.
- Baboon hunts take place for a variety of reasons, including safety, population control, and crop control, and are seen as an unusual game hunting trophy.
- Baboons are intelligent creatures, known for their quick reflexes and keen sense, all of which make for a challenging hunting safari.
- Baboons are purely chance trophies and are quite cheap to hunt. Some outfitters, however, do offer specific baboon hunts.
- They are pests, and many farmers are eager to rid their lands of the vermin that eat their crops and attack their livestock.
- The best rifle for baboon hunting is a small to medium caliber, fitted with a good scope.
- Baboon hunts are available in numerous African destinations, including South Africa, Namibia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mozambique, and certain areas of Tanzania.
- There are five species of baboons, namely the Chacma Baboon, Olive Baboon, Yellow Baboon, Guinea Baboon, and Hamadryas Baboon.
- All species are listed by the IUCN as species of “least concern,” except the Guinea Baboon which is listed as Near Threatened.
Baboons: An Overview
Name: Papio
Male Weight: 46-99 pounds
Range: Southern Africa
Mating season: All year around
Life span: 20-30 years
Baboons are animals with gray-brown fur and tails, walk on all fours, and have large canine teeth with a dog-like muzzle. These primates can weigh up to 99 pounds but generally weigh around 70 pounds. One of the most easily recognizable things about a baboon is its red backside. Male baboons have red bottoms that primatologists believe help to attract females and warn off potential predators.
These vocal primates are known to live in groups called troops, preferring habitats of mountainous regions, woodlands, steppes, savannas, and sub-desert regions. The hierarchical troops can reach up to 250 individuals, but most troops have around 50 members. Males are dominant and are known to be quite aggressive.
Baboon Species in Africa
The following baboon species are found in Africa:
- Chacma Baboon (Papio ursinus) – This baboon species mainly inhabits southern Africa, including destinations such as Botswana, South Africa, and Namibia.
- Olive Baboon (Papio anubis) – This baboon inhabits central sub-Saharan Africa, and is commonly found in Kanya, Tanzania, and parts of West Africa.
- Yellow Baboon (Papio cynocephalus) – This baboon species is mainly found in East Africa.
- Guinea Baboon (Papio papio) – The Guinea baboon has a very limited habitat and range and mainly inhabits West Africa.
- Hamadryas Baboon (Papio hamadryas) – The habitat and range of the Hamadryas monkey sees this primate present in the Horn of Africa, and is found in countries such as Somalia, Ethiopia, and Eritrea.
IUCN Status of the Baboon Species
Chacma Baboon – Least Concern
Olive Baboon – Least Concern
Yellow Baboon – Least Concern
Guinea Baboon – Near Threatened
Hamadryas Baboon – Least Concern
Where can Baboons be legally hunted in Africa?
Baboon hunting in Africa is legal in numerous African countries, including South Africa, Tanzania, Namibia, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, and Mozambique. In Tanzania, baboon hunting is only allowed in certain areas.
These fascinating destinations include baboons in their hunting safari packages, making the thrill of the chase an exciting and challenging hunt. Remember that hunting in Africa is not for the faint-hearted, and this aggressive and cunning primate adversary should not be underestimated!
What Hunting Methods are Used to Target Baboons?
Coming across a baboon on an African hunt is often quite by chance. You could be hunting another species, when this exceptional primate comes across your path. Take the shot, you will not be disappointed with this unusual trophy.
While on a specific baboon hunting expedition, knowledgeable guides will guide you by tracking these highly intelligent creatures.
When it comes to firepower, the best rifle option is a small to medium rifle, fitted with a good scope. Anything from a .270 to a .375 will work well when baboon hunting. In terms of shot placement, shoot for the center of the chest, for a quick and humane death for the animal.
Why are Baboons hunted?
People hunt baboons for several reasons, including:
- Trophy Hunting: Many international hunters target and shoot baboons as a challenging and unusual hunting experience, something different from the usual African plains game or dangerous game hunting experiences.
- Crop Protection: Baboons can cause extensive damage to farmers’ crops and hunting them helps keep the crops safe from being raided. Baboons are opportunistic creatures and will raid crops if given the opportunity.
- Livestock Protection: Baboons are known to prey on domestic livestock, such as sheep, goats, chickens, and even dogs. They can become extremely aggressive and hunting the troublemakers or instigators in a troop can assist in the protection of livestock, which also contributes to farmers’ livelihoods.
- Safety: Large adult male baboons can become extremely aggressive and are not known to back down. They will attack and this can include humans in certain scenarios.
- Population Control: unless baboon populations are carefully managed, they can easily become too large for the surrounding habitats and ecosystems to maintain an ecological balance.
Why are Baboons difficult to hunt?
Baboons are hunted for numerous reasons and provide the hunting party with a challenge due to the quick reflexes, quick thinking, and overall intelligence of these agile creatures.
Did you know that baboons post sentries to keep guard and look out for danger? These sentries play an important role in keeping the troops safe, as their loud alarm calls alert them to danger in the area, allowing them to react swiftly to the perceived threat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people hunt baboons?
Baboons are hunted for a variety of reasons, including safety, crop, and livestock protection, protection of human lives,
What do baboons eat?
Baboons are omnivorous, eating a variety of foods. They are highly adaptable and will eat and forage for what is in their habitat and environment, including eggs, fruits, seeds, insects, and leaves. In terms of prey, they are known to hunt young antelopes, rabbits, and other small primates.
What predators hunt baboons?
Baboons are known to be hunted by a variety of predators including striped and spotted hyenas, lions, crocodiles, leopards, and cheetahs.
Is it legal to shoot baboons in South Africa?
Yes, it is legal to shoot baboons in South Africa and they are often targeted as a trophy of opportunity whilst on another game hunting safari.
What is the lifespan of a baboon?
Baboons can live up to about 35 years in the wild, while those in captivity have been known to reach more than 45 years.
Can you eat baboon meat?
Yes, baboon meat can technically be eaten and is eaten by some African tribes, but it must be remembered that they do carry diseases such as Ebola and Herpes, amongst others, that can be carried over to humans. Also, with baboons being so closely related to humans, it does carry ethical considerations.
What are baboons afraid of?
While baboons that have not yet been introduced to people may have a fear of humans, many baboons show no fear whatsoever for humans.
Conclusion
Baboon hunting in Africa provides hunters with a different and challenging game hunting adventure, with the opportunity to target a species that is somewhat different from the norm. While they are usually targeted as a trophy of opportunity, some outfitters do offer baboon hunting safaris specifically to target this aggressive, unpredictable, and intelligent creature.
Author: B. Hershensohnn