Predation by a troop of olive baboons (Papio anubis)

During 1970–1971, a troop of 49 olive baboons was observed in a partially protected area in Kenya, not far from the village of Gilgil. The baboons were seen to catch and eat 47 small animals, a rate of predation far higher than has been reported for any other nonhuman primate. Prey animals included hares, small antelope and the neonatal young of larger antelope. Adult male baboons caught and ate all but three of the prey animals. Adult females caught hares three times, but only once was a female able to keep and eat most of the animal she had caught. There was no significant seasonal variation in the occurrence of this behavior. The baboons appeared to search out prey deliberately and to come upon it by accident. No instances of cooperative hunting or voluntary sharing were seen. Both incidence and form of this predatory behavior may be influenced by learned, local tradition.