Barbary Macaque

While most Macaques are Asian natives, the Barbary Macaque inhabits a small forest area in Northwester Africa, principally Morocco and Algeria.

A small population of approximately two hundred individuals also live on Gibraltar. Technically they are considered a wild population, however, over the course of decades, human feeding and other extraordinary care tend to move them closer to a category of domestic, free ranging, rather than wild primates.

Physically, their remnant of a tail gives them the appearance more ape-like than monkey like.

Their widely studied social structure, multimale, multifemale groups with active male parenting, also differentiate them from most of the primate world.

The IUCN lists them as an endangered species, and in July 2009, they took the added measure of issuing a release stating,

"Deforestation and forest degradation in the rural mountain areas of Morocco and Algeria are threatening endangered species, such as the Barbary Macaque (Macaca sylvanus)."

Their concerns for altered habitat in the region extend beyond the Barbary Macaque. IUCN Director General Julia Marton-Lefevre noted, "Forest conservation in this region is essential, not only to ensure highly threatened species survive, but also to guarantee freshwater supply and reduce the risks of desertification and other impacts from climate change".

© 2010 Patricia A. Michaels.