The Barbary Macaque is a large primate native to the Atlas Mountains in North Africa. There is a large population of Barbary Macaques on the rock of Gibraltar in the south west of Europe, making them the only monkey native to Europe.

 Barbary Macaques once ranged right across Europe. Indeed their fossils have been found as far north as Norfolk in the Britain. There may have been a land bridge between Britain and Ireland during this time so it is possible macaques could have walked across this land bridge to Ireland. Any evidence of their natural occurrence here may long have washed away.

Incredibly, Barbary Macaque fossils have been found in Ireland. Barbary macaque skeletons, some dating back to 2,500 years have been uncovered in Ireland. The most significant of which was discovered in Navan Fort in County Armagh. It would suggest that trade routes were open at the time between Ireland and the Mediterranean. Ancient Celtic Chieftains may have been keeping Barbary macaques as pets.

Barbary Macaques are found in very cold climates, high up in the Atlas Mountains. They have thick fur which help them cope with the cold. We often associate monkeys with tropical climates, however our Barbary Macaques are well adapted to cope with our climate here in County Donegal.

Barbary macaques are under pressure in the wild from over hunting and loss of habitat. Many baby monkeys are stolen form the wild and sold into the pet trade. Our monkeys have been rescued from the pet trade. They are too habituated to humans to ever survive back in the wild so we are delighted that we can offer them a forever home on our large natural island in Wild Ireland.

All of our Macaques have come to us from a rescue centre and charity in Spain called AAP. AAP rescue all sorts of primates and other exotic animals from unsuitable conditions around the world. AAP have rescue centres in Holland and in Spain.

Barbary macaque populations are under extreme pressure in the wild. Poachers steal baby macaques from their mothers in order to sell them on the illegal black market as pets or photographers props on tourist beaches.

In order to capture a baby macaque the mother is usually shot and the baby is ripped from her dying arms. Poachers will also chase the entire group of monkeys with dogs until they drop a baby in the confusion. Poachers will use traps, poison and even fire to kill adult monkeys, just to steal the babies.

The majority of the babies die soon after their capture. Those that survive face a very cruel and lonely life in circuses, as photographer’s props or as pets. Monkeys do not make good pets. They have huge teeth and they cannot be housetrained.

Please, do not support this cruel trade. Please do not pose with monkeys or other wildlife for photographs on holidays.