Unsung heroes! Come rain or shine, this team of animal protectors are always up for the task. When offered the chance to knock off earlier due to winter’s woes, the team unanimously said no, choosing to put their selfless duty first.
Cape Town, South Africa (07 September 2023) — In a world where working overtime and under tight budget is not a first choice for most, a hardworking team of monitors with Baboon Matters stand as a shining example of choice-driven selfless efforts for the animals under their watch.
This sentiment was as prevalent as ever in a recent team meeting. There, the protectors of the CT2 troop had a discussion where working hours were on the agenda. Given winter’s wet and icy strain in the Western Cape, shortening working hours was an option for the small team; an opportunity many in conventional workplaces would take without second thought.
Not these legends. Unanimously, all seven men declined the option; dedicated instead to making sure all the baboons were safe in their nightly sleep sight no matter what. This decision was also fuelled by the loss of baboon Millie who had moved after dark (for unknown reasons) once the men had clocked off—something the team were not prepared to let happen to Charles, Big Mama or any of the other baboons they oversee.
This follows their incredible commitment to the baboons, including working on public holidays without overtime pay instead of taking the option to take the day off.
Their work is incredibly strenuous—from trekking steep inclines where the baboons disperse to breaking up fights, making sure the troop stays together and that human residents also stay safe—no matter the weather’s woes of the day.
This Baboon Matters team is a reminder that sometimes, when the call of duty is loud enough, selfless choices reign supreme, and we take our hats off to the team:
- Andile Nazo
- Mzukisi Nkewu
- Donovan Linnet
- Fisa Dlokolo
- Benson Chipasula
- Kuluza Kwenene
- Dumisani Sityi
About the CT2 Troop and Baboon Matters
The Baboon Matters Trust are at the forefront of baboon conservation and have been for a quarter century. The CT2 troop monitors stepped in after the City of Cape Town pulled rangers from the expanding terrain of the moving troop, leading communities like the Tokai Baboon Action Group and Baboon Watch WC to step in.
Thereafter, Baboon Matters decided to offer some help to fund monitors who had experience in the field. The team grew, and since December 2022, they have been a driving force of protection for humans and baboons.
You can help the monitor troop keep on keeping on here.
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