UK OVERSEAS TERRITORIES CONSERVATION FORUM
Virtual Tours: Gibraltar
The Full Tour
Map
Introduction
Features of Natural Interest
Features of Other Interest, including Cultural
Threats / Problems / Issues
Projects / Conservation Actions
Opportunities
Organisations and Links
Tour Selection
Threats / Problems / Issues

Tourists delight in seeing the Barbary macaques but they have previously caused many issues across Gibraltar, for quite some time, predominantly damage to personal property. Managing human – monkey interactions (exacerbated in some instances by inappropriate human behaviour) has become a priority for local government. The high fertility rate of the species also leads to frequent population booms which puts pressure on the limited available habitat. This situation is now being very well managed.

Do not feed the macaques. The macaques are well fed every day by a dedicated macaque management team. Feeding the macaques is illegal, poses a serious risk to their health and may result in increased chances of humans being bitten.  


© Dr Mike Pienkowski
(Threats / Problems / Issues, 1 of 5 - Slide ref. 1490)