Okavango Photo Gallery — Page 4

Inter-troop Dispute

Our two study groups, White Island (W Troop) and Camp (C Troop), occasionally encountered neighboring groups (X and Z), which were not habituated to humans and typically fled at our approach. Over the course of my three years in the field, I observed only a single direct interaction between W and C Troops. This occurred when C Troop made an incursion onto White Island after the floodwaters had receded. Following a brief confrontation (photos below), C Troop retreated.

Male chacma baboons from one troop converge on a male from another troop.

W Troop adult and subadult males (left) respond to the incursion by advancing and confronting the intruders.

Male chacma baboons from one troop converge on a male from another troop. Close combat.

C Troop male (right) is outnumbered.

Male chacma baboons from one troop chase a fleeing male from another troop.

C Troop individuals retreat.