Baboon

Baboon

The five baboon species are some of the largest non-hominid members of the primate order; only the Mandrill and the Drill are larger.

Baboons are terrestrial (ground dwelling) and are found in open savannah, open woodland and hills across Africa. Their diet is omnivorous, but is usually vegetarian. They are foragers and are active at irregular times throughout the day and night. They can raid human dwellings and in South Africa they have been known to prey on sheep and goats.

Their principal predators are man and the leopard, although they are tough prey for a leopard and large males will often confront them by flashing their eyelids, showing their teeth by yawning, making gestures, and chasing after the intruder/predator.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

There is considerable variation in size and weight depending on species, the Guinea Baboon is 50 cm (20 inches) and weighs only 14 kg (30 lb) while the biggest Chacma Baboon can be 120 cm (47 inches) and weigh 40 kg (90 lb).

In all baboon species there is pronounced sexual dimorphism, usually in size but also sometimes in color or canine development.

STATUS

The Baboon is widespread and does not rank among threatened animal species. However, in some confined locations such as South Africa’s Southern Cape Peninsula, local populations are dwindling due to habitat loss. Some troops have become a suburban menace, overturning trash cans and entering houses in their search for food. These animals can be aggressive and dangerous, such negative encounters have resulted in frustrated local residents resorting to hunting them.

WEAPONS USED

Baboons are not hard to kill. A .243 Winchester or 6mm cartridge will certainly put one down without difficulty. A .270 or larger flat shooting caliber is certainly not “over gunning” when hunting baboons and because they are intelligent and react to being hunted, long shots are a distinct possibility, so a good scope is highly recommended.

For archery hunters, any bow capable of downing a whitetail will work.