As
with many other primate species, the major threat facing Barbary macaques in
the wild is the loss of habitat. Extensive logging of forests together with
increasing use available land for grazing of sheep and goats, leads to both
reduction and fragmentation of the macaques natural habitat. Thus, not only
are populations diminishing in size, but those that do remain are becoming increasingly
isolated, since migration between the individual sub-populations is no longer
possible. Gene flow is thus limited and this in turn leads to genetic impoverishment
and reduction of potential to adapt to further environmental changes.
Natural predation in the wild does not constitute a threat, although encroachment
from expanding human populations causes disturbance, particularly from dogs
and other animals associated with human settlement, and also increases risk
of disease transmission. Additionally, hunting of Barbary macaques for use as
pets and tourist attractions continues to be an additional drain on the few
remaining populations of this species.
In Algeria, Barbary macaques have disappeared from several regions in relatively
recent times. Today, only 7 widely separated small subpopulations remain. These
populations are completely isolated by distances of 50-200 km.
The Moroccan Middle Atlas population is the largest and probably most important
in conservation terms. Unfortunately, since it is not protected as a National
Park, this last remaining stronghold of the species may also soon be under threat.
The species is listed as vulnerable in the IUCN Red List.
