EMS FOUNDATION APPROACHES HIGH COURT OVER WEAPONS-BASED BABOON MANAGEMENT IN THE OVERSTRAND   

MEDIA STATEMENT 3 JULY 2026

 EMS FOUNDATION APPROACHES HIGH COURT OVER WEAPONS-BASED BABOON MANAGEMENT IN THE OVERSTRAND   

The EMS Foundation has instituted proceedings in the Western Cape High Court after efforts to resolve concerns regarding the use of weapons-based baboon management methods through legal correspondence proved unsuccessful.

On 4 June 2026, attorneys acting on behalf of the Foundation addressed a detailed Letter of Demand to both CapeNature and the Overstrand Municipality. The Foundation sought undertakings that no additional coercive or weapons-based baboon management methods would be introduced in Betty’s Bay pending a lawful, transparent and publicly accountable review of the applicable management framework.

The Foundation further requested that wildlife management continue to be undertaken in a manner consistent with South Africa’s constitutional values, environmental legislation and humane conservation principles.

Following receipt of the Foundation’s legal correspondence, the Overstrand Municipality publicly announced on the 9 June 2026 that it intended reviewing its baboon management framework. While the Foundation welcomed that announcement, no undertaking was provided that additional weapons-based management methods would be suspended while that review takes place. 

In those circumstances, and in the absence of the undertakings sought, the EMS Foundation approached the High Court for appropriate relief. 

The Foundation wishes to emphasise that these proceedings are not directed against responsible baboon management. Rather, they seek to ensure that decisions affecting both wildlife and communities are taken lawfully, transparently and in accordance with constitutional principles, proper public participation and sound environmental governance.

The Foundation is concerned that increasingly coercive interventions are being normalised before their legality, necessity and appropriateness have been properly scrutinised through lawful public processes. Wildlife management decisions that affect sentient wild animals, local communities and the public interest must be based on sound science, humane principles and accountable decision-making

The application raises important issues concerning the exercise of statutory powers by public authorities, the lawful management of human-wildlife interactions, and the standards of accountability expected of conservation authorities and municipalities.

As the matter is now before the High Court, and out of respect for the judicial process, the EMS Foundation will not comment further on the substantive legal issues that will be determined by the Court.

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