For further information about the Barbary macaques and the contents of this website,

contact:	Dr. John Cortes	gonhs@gibnet.gi
	Prof. Keith Hodges	khodges@gwdg.de
Credits:
Webdesign	Ralf Armbrecht	ralfarmbrecht@web.de
		GreenMediaNet
Content	Ulrike Möhle
	Keith Hodges
Photographs	Ralf Armbrecht	Lara Modolo
	Keith Hodges	Ulrike Möhle
	Rolf Kümmerli

Names and location of the five macaque groups
(move with cursor over the red dots):

Farringdon Barracks

Royal Anglian Way

Today the number of Barbary macaques on the Rock of Gibraltar totals 243 individuals living in 5 groups with group sizes ranging between 37 and 68 animals (figures from latest census 07.2002). The monkeys are managed by the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society (GONHS) and the Gibraltar Veterinary Clinic (GVC). The animals receive a daily supply of fresh water and vegetables, fruit and seeds as supplement to natural food resources (leaves, olives, roots, seeds and flowers) and are also provided with veterinary care. The animals are caught on a regular basis in order to check their health status. Additionally, body size, weight and several other measures are taken. Finally, the animals are given a tattoo number and a micro chip as a means of identification. But tattoos are not the only way to recognise animals. Barbary macaques quite often show particular marks, scars or spots which can be used as distinguishing features. In an ongoing project conducted by the University of Zurich, the German Primate Centre, GONHS and GVC all monkeys older than 3 years have been photographed and the pictures together with individual characteristics catalogued.
Once every year, a census is conducted in order to actualise data and monitor reproductive success of the whole population.
These demographic data are important for the management of the population generally, but also when it comes to the point of fertility regulation in selected individuals. Since Barbary macaque females reproduce well, the population on Gibraltar is steadily increasing, which in turn puts pressure on the limited habitat. Population control is therefore an essential part of effective management of the Gibraltar colony. One way of achieving this is the use of hormonal implants to suppress natural reproduction. This reversible method requires only one capture to insert the implant and is effective for at least 2 years.