ibraltar Rock Barbary Macaques
The history of Gibraltar's monkeys dates back over 300 years, with the Barbary macaque population being the only wild monkey species in Europe. These monkeys, originally from the Atlas Mountains and Rif Mountains of Morocco, were introduced to Gibraltar by the Moors during the Middle Ages. The exact timing of their arrival is uncertain, but they are believed to have been brought to Gibraltar by the British after the capture of the Rock in 1704. The macaques have since become an iconic symbol of Gibraltar, with their presence being a critical element of the territory's natural and cultural identity.
Pictures by Chris Summerfield
Thanks to
The Gibraltar Nature reserve.