On my previous trips I had the opportunity to shoot a baboon, especially on the first where large numbers of baboon raided croplands and sat on the cliffs looking down at us.

I didn't because they wanted a "trophy" fee and also I don't think the trophy can be brought back home here.

But as many have said I too found them too human like. I may change my mind one day.

When in South Africa I was told baboons are shot on sight and certainly they ran as soon as a vehicle was heard or sighted by them. They were regarded as noxious pests.

Later in Zimbabwe I enquired why the baboons were so tame. They didn't flee at a vehicle. They did move off but not in panic. He told me he did not allow them to be shot, or at least in numbers regularly. He said a lot of other game watch baboons, which are one of the most inteligent and alert beasts. If a baboon panics all the other game becomes instantly alert. He wanted the baboons to remain calm and unworried. Certainly the other game was much much less skittish. This of course could be from a variety of factors in addition to this one.

What are your thoughts on this? Any comments on its correctness or not?