The Barbary macaque (Macaca sylvanus) is a fascinating species, and the population in Gibraltar is particularly unique¹.

The Barbary macaques in Gibraltar are the only wild monkey population in Europe. They are originally from the Atlas Mountains and the Rif Mountains of Morocco².

There are about 300 Barbary macaques living on the Rock of Gibraltar. This population appears to be stable or even increasing, unlike their counterparts in North Africa, which are declining².

They inhabit the Upper Rock area of the Gibraltar Nature Reserve and occasionally venture into the town².

The presence of Barbary macaques in Gibraltar predates British control of the territory². They have been a symbol of Gibraltar for centuries³.

Barbary macaques are known for their social behavior, living in groups of 25 to 70 individuals². They are also alloparental, meaning that both male and female adults help care for all the young in the group³.

Conservation Status: The Barbary macaque is classified as "Endangered" by the IUCN. Efforts are ongoing to protect and conserve this unique population¹.

1. en.wikipedia.org 2. en.wikipedia.org 3. en.wikipedia.org

The grivet (Chlorocebus aethiops) is an Old World monkey native to the savanna woodlands of Ethiopia, Sudan, Djibouti, and Eritrea¹.

Grivets have long white tufts of hair along the sides of their face, black facial skin, hands, and feet, and a white line above their eyes. Their back fur is olive-colored, while the front is white, and their stomach skin has a blue tint¹..

Males typically measure around 49 cm (19 in) in head and body length, while females are about 42.6 cm (16.8 in). Their tails add an additional 30-50 cm (12-20 in)¹.

They are omnivores, eating mostly fruits and vegetables, but also small mammals, insects, and birds. They also scavenge for human food¹.

Grivets are diurnal, most active in the morning and early evening.²They spend a lot of time grooming, playing, climbing, and play fighting.¹. They live in groups ranging from five to over 70 individuals².

They inhabit savanna woodlands and need to live near a water source, especially during the dry season¹. They are adaptable to various environments².

Grivets are social animals and form multiple-male groups². They are currently rated as "Least Concern" by the IUCN¹.

1. en.wikipedia.org 2. animalia.bio

Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) are highly intelligent primates native to the forests and savannas of tropical Africa. They are humans' closest living relatives, sharing about 98–99% of our DNA. Here's an overview of their characteristics, behavior, and significance:

Adult males weigh 40–60 kg (88–132 lbs) and stand 1–1.7 meters (3.3–5.6 feet) tall when upright; females are slightly smaller. Chimpanzees have long arms, short legs, and opposable thumbs. Their bodies are covered in coarse black hair, except for their faces, fingers, palms, and soles. They can live up to 50–60 years in captivity and slightly less in the wild.

Chimpanzees live in communities of 20–150 individuals, led by an alpha male. Social hierarchies play a critical role in their interactions. They communicate using vocalizations, facial expressions, and gestures. For example, pant-hoots signal excitement or cohesion.Known for their intelligence, they use tools like sticks to extract termites or leaves as sponges to collect water. They are omnivores, eating fruits, seeds, leaves, insects, and occasionally meat, including small mammals.

Found in more than 20 countries across central and western Africa. They inhabit tropical rainforests, woodlands, and savannas, adapting to diverse environments.

Females become sexually mature around 12–13 years and give birth to a single offspring after an eight-month pregnancy. Mothers are primary caregivers, nurturing their young for several years. Infants rely on their mothers for food, protection, and learning survival skills.

Chimpanzees demonstrate remarkable cognitive abilities, including problem-solving, memory, and learning from observation. They exhibit behaviors like empathy, planning, and even basic forms of self-recognition in mirrors.

Habitat destruction, poaching, and disease have led to declining populations. They are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Protected areas, anti-poaching laws, and rehabilitation centers help mitigate threats.

Chimpanzees are crucial to ecosystems as seed dispersers and cultural icons that help us understand our evolutionary history. Protecting them ensures not only their survival but also the preservation of biodiversity.

There are two species of gorillas: the eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei) and the western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla). Each species has two subspecies: the mountain gorilla and Grauer's gorilla for the eastern, and the western lowland gorilla and Cross River gorilla for the western.

Gorillas primarily live in tropical and subtropical forests in central Africa. The eastern species are found in the dense forests of the Congo Basin, while the western species inhabit the lowland swamps and forests of West Africa.

They are primarily herbivorous, feeding on leaves, stems, fruit, and bamboo shoots. Occasionally, they might consume small insects.

Gorillas live in family groups called troops, led by a dominant male known as a silverback. These groups can range from a few individuals to over 30 members.

Gorillas communicate through a variety of vocalizations, gestures, and facial expressions. They are known for their chest-beating displays, used to assert dominance or as a show of strength.

Gorillas face threats from habitat destruction, poaching, disease, and political instability in their native regions. The Ebola virus has also significantly impacted their populations.

Many organizations are working to protect gorillas through anti-poaching measures, habitat preservation, and research initiatives.

1. www.nationalgeographic.com 2. www.worldwildlife.org 3. janegoodall.org 4. iconicspecies.iucnredlist.org 5. gorillafund.org