THE BOARD
. . .
Often, it’s the reserve-like setting of a lifestyle estate that makes
it a draw card for residents. But what happens when nature starts
encroaching on households?
MONKEY-
BUSINESS
– friend or foe
p
icture it: You’re in the kitchen, minding many species’ fear.’ Increased interaction that reason, we also remind residents not to
your own business as you stir the is an inevitable outcome, and is not always leave food out for birds.’ Taylor’s suggestions
sugar into your tea, when you feel unintentional – think of the times you have for minimising the problem include restricting
eyes boring into the back of your left food out for birds or even monkeys, for access by sealing all holes in walls and
head. You turn around to find an example. What is unintentional, however, is ceilings, and filling any gaps under external
inquisitive vervet monkey sitting on the conflict that this almost always results doors. It’s also a good idea to keep plants
the kitchen table staring at you as intently as in, especially when these species become away from open windows – that way, there’s
you’re staring at it. accustomed to such behaviour. Cape Town’s nothing to give agile primates a leg up.
bold baboons are a case in point, Taylor says.
It may seem like a scenario straight from Out of Having for decades been the target of well- This is also why effective waste management
Africa, but it’s also not unheard of on lifestyle meaning but ignorant tourists who feed them, is a must. Says Taylor: ‘Accessible waste
estates – which is why Audrey Delsink, Wildlife the baboons on the routes to some of the Cape products
are
one
Director at the Humane Society International Peninsula’s most scenic spots have learned to baboons
and
monkeys
in Africa, says that it’s vital that every open car doors. They haven’t learned to drive estates. Keeping the property clean and
developer conduct a thorough environmental yet, so they don’t hijack the cars, just the tidy, and ensuring that bins and other waste
impact assessment (EIA) before embarking picnic baskets and anything else that’s left receptacles are sealed and inaccessible to
on a construction project. ‘This is imperative, lying around – handbags, cameras, laptops. animals, will go a long way to relieving pest
of
the
main
are
reasons
attracted
to
issues.’ Delsink recommends storing refuse
because it helps foster an understanding
of the environment as a habitat, and how This is why it’s important for estates to make bags in a locked, caged area, or investing in
populations function in this area. This, in residents aware of potential hazards they primate-proof bins.
turn, should inform how the development is may encounter, and how they should deal with designed and how construction progresses.’ the animals in question, says Chris McDonald, McDonald adds that the monkeys rarely
who is responsible for environmental and present
Once the estate is up and running, there security Coastal although they do tend to be a little boisterous.
are other considerations that must be taken Estate. ‘For example, monkeys are common ‘They seem more likely to follow women and
into account. After all, animals won’t stay on our estate. We remind residents to leave children, perhaps because they can sense
away from an area simply because there all windows and doors closed, and to keep all that they are more nervous. Our advice is
are humans living there. On the contrary, food – especially fruit – locked away. These to back away slowly if you see a monkey or,
says Emily Taylor, project coordinator of animals are opportunistic; it’s much easier if you’re scared, to make sure that you don’t
the People in Conservation Unit at the to steal your slice of pawpaw than to search walk alone. You can also spray the animals
Endangered Wildlife Trust, ‘Adapting to living for their own berries, so it’s better to prevent with a hose if you feel they are too close.’ Of
in close proximity to humans has reduced any possible problems in the first place. For
issues
at
Brettenwood
58
INDUSTRY JOURNAL
a
real
threat
to
human
safety,