Fingers, alpha male of the Smitswinkel troop, can occasionally be seen by visitors on the scenic drive between Simonstown and Smitswinkel Bay. (At times the troop is allowed by rangers to come down from the mountain to the road to forage on the shore below for mussels.)
Paintballs, a controversial management tool used since 2012, are fired at the 10 managed baboon troops to control their movement, eg in the case of the Smitwinkel troop to chase them up the mountain away from the road.
To prevent vehicle raids when baboons are around, visitors must keep their windows shut and car doors locked (some baboons can open them if only shut). Visitors should not have food on display, and should dispose of garbage away from baboon frequented areas.
Never feed baboons. Some habituated baboons have learned to grab bags or backpacks in search of food. Such incidents count heavily against the baboons in terms of protocols and can be used to motivate for their culling.
NOTE: Officials warn never to engage with, confront or threaten baboons. If a baboon grabs an item rather let it have the food or search the bag for food. Once it finds nothing in the bag, it will abandon the item which can then beretrieved.
Adult males are very protective of their young, an aggressive response could ensue if they believe them to be in danger or hurt, therefore visitors should keep their distance.
