In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Yankari, the female tourists said they were often taken by surprise when the animals ``snatch their handbags and flee''.
According to them, the baboons do not discriminate between male and female tourists but they often make the latter their targets.
``The baboons are sharp and fast. They are hardly spotted at close range but once they pounce on you, it is only a matter of seconds and your handbag is gone. If you have valuable items in the bag, they are gone; sometimes for good,'' Mrs. Aishatu Baza, a female tourist, lamented.
Another tourist, Amina Aliyu, said the nuisance posed by the baboons had made many female tourists not to relax while in Yankari, defeating the purpose of the visit.
``If you are carrying a bag, you have to keep watching over your shoulders.''
Another tourist, Mrs. Ngozi Okechukwu, told NAN that she had been warned about the baboons in advance.
``The baboons are bad public relations for Yankari Game Reserve. The management of the reserve should do something about them.''
Other tourists also agreed that the baboons were a menace to visitors.
``Unlike other animals that stay in the reserve's forest, the baboons mingle with tourists in areas reserved for human beings.
``To make matters worse, they snatch anything of value carried by tourists, especially the ladies. ``You cannot just eat freely, as the animals are fast and can take you by surprise,'' complained Taiwo Alabi, also a tourist.
0 comments:
Post a Comment