Colobus Trust

Category: Research | Date: Jan 24 2007 | By: admin

Baboons are such amazing primates. My census of the four troops in the area has become so much more. Today as I waited for them to cross the road, the best time to count the 40 odd members of each troop, I saw interactions and relationships befitting a group of humans.

The sub-adults and adult males are always in the lead, moving slowly through the community in that confident gate that only large baboons can do.

I watched as they crossed driveways and abandoned plots in the search of more food and shade. Following were the multiple females, many with infants and juveniles.

They certainly take their time getting to the road but I hardly mind. Males, ever vigilant, chase each other, screaming and scrapping as their status in the hierarchy is challenged or their favorite females are courted by young upstarts lobbying for their own position. The females watch with nervous interest, often encouraging or dissuading with subtle gestures and calls. The dynamics of the group are anything but static, and watching, one realizes there is an entire culture to be understood.

Eventually, they cross the road, watching carefully for cars, but fearless of other pedestrians. The total comes out at 37 today, some must be exploring other areas at the moment; most likely young males, searching for a new group, a whole new community. - Eric, Colobologist

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