Extreme behavioural shifts by baboons exploiting risky, resource-rich, human-modified environments.

ABSTRACT: A range of species exploit anthropogenic food resources in behaviour known as 'raiding'. Such behavioural flexibility is considered a central component of a species' ability to cope with human-induced environmental changes. Here, we study the behavioural processes by which raiding male chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) exploit the opportunities and mitigate the risks presented by raiding in the suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa. Ecological sampling and interviews conducted with 'rangers' (employed to manage the baboons' space use) revealed that baboons are at risk of being herded out of urban spaces that contain high-energy anthropogenic food sources. Baboon-attached motion/GPS tracking collars showed that raiding male baboons spent almost all of their time at the urban edge, engaging in sho

SUBMITTER: Fehlmann G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5678166 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature