Patterns of predation and meat-eating by chacma baboons in an Afromontane environment

Abstract

Meat-eating among non-human primates has been well documented but its prevalence among Afromontane baboons is understudied. In this study we report the predatory and meat-eating behaviours of a habituated group of gray-footed chacma baboons (Papio ursinus griseipes) living in an Afromontane environment in South Africa. We calculated a vertebrate-eating rate of 1 every 78.5 hours, increasing to 58.1 hours when unsuccessful predation attempts were included. A key food source was young antelopes, particularly bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus), which were consumed once every 115 observation hours. Similar to other baboon research sites, predations seemed mostly opportunistic, adult males regularly scrounged and monopolised prey, there was no evidence they used an active kill bite, and active sharing was absent. This is the first baboon study to report predation of rock python (Python sebae) eggs and likely scavenging of a leopard (Panthera pardus) kill (bushbuck) cached in a tree. We also describe several scramble kleptoparasitism events, tolerating active defence from antelope parents, and the baboons inhibiting public information about predations. In the latter case, baboons with meat often hid beyond the periphery of the group, reducing the likelihood of scrounging by competitors. This often led to prey carcasses being discarded without being fully exploited and potentially providing resources to scavengers. We also highlight the absence of encounters with numerous species, suggesting the baboons are a key component of several species’ landscapes of fear. Given these findings it seems likely that their ecological role in the Soutpansberg has been undervalued, and such conclusions may also hold for other baboon populations.

Mechanisms of equality and inequality in mammalian societies

“…both philopatric; mixed sexes; omnivore (most food not defendable) coalitions (N,R) [73] tolerated co-feeding limited to kin at playbacks [74] post-conflict reconciliation [75] olive baboon (P. anubis) females philopatric; mixed sexes; omnivore (most food not defendable) coalitions (N) [54]; social skills in infants linked to maternal care [76]; maternal sociality predict infant growth and reproduction [77] mothers experiencing more adversity had increased glucocorticoid levels and reduced offspring survival [78] mutual feeding tolerance by males of males and females sexes of different ages [60] cultural shift from competitive to peaceful troop [79] post-conflict reconciliation [67,80] yellow baboon (P. cynocephalus) females philopatric; mixed sexes; omnivore (most food not defendable) coalitions (N, R, CH) [54];…”

“…food, tools, land) transfer (material wealth)food sharing and adoption of non-kin c revolutionary coalitions and peacekeepingfairness—inequity aversion d conflict resolution (forgiveness/reconciliation) e chimpanzee ( Pan troglodytes spp. )male philopatry; mixed sexes; omnivore (most food not defendable)coalitions (N, R, CH) [54]; maternal presence positively influenced offspring muscle mass [55] and survival [56]maternal rank and ‘stress’ during gestation correlated with offspring stress physiology [57]intergenerational transfer of stone tools (hammers and anvils) [58] and natal community [59]meat-sharing among kin and non-kin; some enforcement via aggression [60,61]males join forces to overthrow the α male [62,63]inequity aversion to unequal pay (food) paradigm [64]post-conflict reconciliation [65–67]bonobo ( Pan paniscus) male philopatry; mixed sexes; omnivore (most food not defendable)coalitions (N, R) [54], but they also promote tolerance; maternal presences associated with increased mating, particularly by low and mid-ranking males [68] mutual tolerance; co-feeding promotes social interactions [69–71]females join forces to protect themselves from harassment by males [72]inequity aversion to unequal pay (food) unclear [64]post-conflict reconciliation [67]chacma baboon ( Papio ursinus) both philopatric; mixed sexes; omnivore (most food not defendable)coalitions (N,R) [73] tolerated co-feeding limited to kin at playbacks [74] post-conflict reconciliation [75]olive baboon ( P. anubis )…”

Land use influence on chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) diet in South Africa using stable isotopes

“…To address the objective of this study, we obtained stable isotope ratios from fecal samples of chacma baboons, which would provide quantitative data on the types of plants and animal protein they consume. Baboons may be considered as opportunistic feeders (Allan et al 2022;Schreier et al 2019) and therefore the potential access to high protein sources such as meat and legumes in more anthropized areas (with crops, garbage or kitchens) may result in higher proportions of protein in their diet. We could expect that if the anthropized landscapes provide higher protein contents than the natural resources consumed by chacma baboons, the stable nitrogen isotope values would tend to be higher in these transformed landscapes.…”