Okaz/Saudi Gazette TROOPS of baboons greet visitors to tourist resorts in the southern Asir region. It may be enchanting to see children play with these animals by providing them with fruits and other edible items, but parents are extremely worried for their safety. The growing presence of baboons has caused consternation among people living in residential districts as the animals trespass into their homes looking for food and for an acrobatic display. Residents have urged the authorities to take necessary caution. The residents believe that baboons started frequenting their neighborhoods after being accustomed to receiving plenty of food thrown at them by fun-seeking tourists. "We have seen instances of baboons running after children," said Abdullah Hamlan. Baboons are powerful and aggressive animals, said one tourist. "They are so friendly to humans and come close to you when in need of food," he added. Baboons are ground-dwelling monkeys with overhanging brows and strong limbs. They have a long doglike snout, large teeth, and naked callosities on the buttocks. Baboons are social animals who avoid forests and live in large troops over rocky, open land. The baboon troops often constitutes more than 100 members. "As you stop your vehicle, the baboons swarm you and search your vehicle for food. I usually keep the windows closed and get out serving them food," the tourist said. Baboons eat various worms, eggs, insects, reptiles, crabs, mollusks, small mammals, fruits and young shoots, he added. Hamlan referred to the danger posed by some baboons as they throw stones at tourists. Such incidents have been reported in Hablah, Jarrah, Masqah, Dalghan and Prince Sultan Resort in Faraa. They are likely to attack to children. "I have seen some of these baboons attacking tourists and running away with their food," Hamlan told Okaz/Saudi Gazette. "The people of Farain have suffered a lot because of baboons living on nearby mountains," said Saleh Mohammed Hamlan. "Their number increased in our neighborhoods after tourists started giving them food," he pointed out. Faisal Mohammed Al-Qadham urged the authorities to take measures to control the baboon population in tourist resorts and residential districts to protect visitors from possible harm. "Some people have told me that they were forced to kill baboons when they destroyed their farms and produce," he said. King Khalid University in Abha had previously organized a conference to discuss the negative impact of baboons and the problems caused by them. Ahmed Al-Bouq, director of Prince Saud Al-Faisal Wildlife Research Center located 30 km from the summer resort city of Taif, blamed human error for problems created by baboons. "We should have an integrated plan to solve this problem gradually," he said. He noted Saudi Wildlife Authority's efforts to rehabilitate baboons in safe havens. Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Oqaili of King Saud University, who has conducted a study on baboons, said the animal could spread various diseases among humans. "We have to find a solution for this problem," he said while blaming tourists for baboons making mischiefs.
