Chairman's Report

The Baboon Matters Trust was conceptualised in September 2007, and registered as a legitimate Trust shortly thereafter. Although this is a relatively new organisation, the Trustees have put in time and energy to get this fledgling body up and running to the point where we can proudly report back on some
exceptional achievements in the past 2 years.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Trustees for their time and commitment; it is truly appreciated.

From inception, the Trustees have been unanimous in their belief that a strong foundation is essential to any entity, and, given the controversial aspects of baboon related activities, we have made a conscious effort to ensure that all financial and legal requirements are fulfilled to the highest possible order, so that in the event of any possible acrimonious attacks we would be certain that no accusations could be levelled at the manner in which our business has been undertaken.

To that end, the Trust has recently been audited, given tax clearance and is now registered as a None Profit Organisation. In the next year effort will be put into gaining tax exemption and an 18a certificate so that donors to theTrust can enjoy certain tax benefits.

I am confident that a solid foundation has been laid in these inaugural years of the Trust and this will provide a sound base from which the Trust will grow.

Further to ensuring the financial and legal obligations, the Trustees have also put effort into strategic planning so that the organisation can move positively towards achieving our goals and objectives (as laid out in the Trust document). The conservation and management of baboons – indeed, the future of baboons – is at a critical point as polarisation and controversy continue to plague many issues relating to our primate cousins.

The Baboon Matters Trust will need to grow our resources in terms of both time and money if we are to continue to achieve on-going success - the survival of many baboons through southern Africa depends on this. The Trustees are more than prepared for the battles ahead of us, and remain absolutely committed to ensuring the future of baboons in southern Africa.

The year ahead holds many opportunities as the Trust has conceptualised exciting education and awareness campaigns. We are confident that the book published by the trust – “Beast or Blessing’ will achieve enormously towards our collective objectives. Our optimism for the future is, however, tempered with concern as we gear up for some intensive battles in coming months. We will have to work hard to prevent mass culling of baboons in the plantations in the northern sections of South Africa, as well as changing the unacceptable protocol governing the young dispersing male baboons on the Cape Peninsula.

The Baboon Matters Trust has achieved well in its first two years of existence and – together with your
continued support – I am certain we will continue to create awareness for the plight of the baboons as well as
helping to find sustainable solutions for the future.

Ian Trethowan
Chairman Baboon Matters Trust