I couldn't keep from smiling when I heard this story of baboons around Groot Constantia, one of the oldest vineyards in South Africa, set in the heart of Cape Town.The vineyard had been invaded by baboons, creating havoc by eating the grapes, then becoming inebriated and ripping the unique, thatched roof on many of the homes or invading the kitchens in search of tasty tidbits.
Constantia, a suburb where well-known people live, like Nelson Mandela, has been hard hit by the blight of the baboons.
They say nothing seems to frighten them, not even the blare of the vervulza, the horn used at the World Cup that was so noisy. The residents no longer feel comfortable sitting or lunching outside, as they are accustomed to doing, for fear of being attacked.
When I was last in South Africa I was amused at the baboons n the Cape who appeared to be everywhere in the rural areas. They made an interesting sight as they scampered up the walls of houses, sometimes with a banana in hand. But I was cautioned never to leave a window open if I left the house during the day, and always to close them at night. I even saw signs reading,"Beware of the Baboons!"
I'm sure the residents of the Cape who have to put up with this annoying behavior of these animals are not amused. But as for American visitors, it is very entertaining to see them climbing and springing about.
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