In the summer of 2024, Dr. Roland Hilgartner, Head of research and Director at Affenberg Salem (our sister park in Germany), embarked on a mission to Morocco to visit the Barbary macaques in their native habitats. The trip aimed to evaluate both the current presence of these primates and the success of reintroduction efforts from the 1980s. Roland’s journey was marked by both encouraging discoveries and concerning signs of ongoing challenges.

On June 14th, he visited the Ouzoud Waterfall, a picturesque site in the Grand Atlas village of Tanaghmeilt, where several social groups of Barbary macaques reside. The area’s natural beauty draws many tourists, leading to interactions between humans and monkeys. Tourists can feed the monkeys with peanuts, which can lead to conflicting situations, because tourists are close to monkeys.

After Ouzoud, he traveled to Boutferda, the site of a successful reintroduction of monkeys, from our sister parks in France & Germany, in the 1980s. After a challenging two-hour trek, he located two monkey groups high in the canyons. While the sighting was promising, evidence of goats and shepherds in the area indicated ongoing competition for resources, highlighting the pressures these macaques face in the wild. Roland is very happy to have found monkeys at the reintroduction-site, as  this means that they are the descendants of the reintroduced population.

Next, he visited the Ourika Valley, a rocky landscape 30 kilometers from Marrakech, home to several distinct groups of Barbary macaques. During his visit, he encountered three groups. One group, located near tourists, was being fed unhealthy food by visitors. Another group lived within an apple tree plantation, leading to conflicts with farmers as the monkeys foraged on their crops. The third group, the most isolated, remained in the remote rocky areas, largely avoiding human contact.

Finally, he concluded his research in Marrakech, where he encountered juvenile macaques, aged 2 to 4.5 years, being exploited as photo props in markets. These young monkeys were kept in chains and dressed in human clothes, their chance of a wild life suppressed for the sake of profit.

Conclusion

The findings from Dr. Roland Hilgartner’s mission in Morocco highlight the ongoing challenges in protecting Barbary macaques. Human-wildlife conflicts, habitat competition, and exploitation continue to threaten the survival of these remarkable primates.

To protect Barbary macaques, it is crucial to support conservation efforts. Individuals can play their part by being responsible tourists, avoiding interactions that harm wildlife, and supporting organisations dedicated to the conservation of endangered species. By raising awareness and taking collective action, we can help ensure a future where Barbary macaques thrive in their natural habitats.

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In 2024, we helped Matt Gardiner, the PhD wizard from Liverpool John Moore’s University, to decode the secrets hidden in monkey poop!

Matt collected monkey faeces to trial a new measure of gut health analysis. Matt then travelled to Morocco in April and used the techniques he practised here at Monkey Forest-  to conduct the same studies on wild Barbary macaques. It is hoped that this new analysis can then be used more widely with other primates.

Now, you might be wondering, “What’s the scoop on faecal glucocorticoids?” Well, buckle up, because it’s all about the health of these fascinating primate adventurers.

Why Poo Matters: The Inside Scoop on Monkey Health

Turns out, the levels of faecal glucocorticoids can spill the beans on a monkey’s well-being. Matt believes that by perfecting his method here at Trentham Monkey Forest, he could extend a helping hand to the wild Barbary macaques residing in Morocco. Imagine using poo science for the greater good of primates!

Enter Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectrometry: A Poo-nique Approach

Matt’s got his eyes on a potential game-changer – Fourier-Transform Infrared spectrometry. It’s not as complicated as it sounds, promise! This cutting-edge method could be the key to measuring faecal glucocorticoid concentrations in a more affordable and efficient way. Think of it as the next level of primate health detective work!

Monkey Forest has supported in-situ conservation and research since its inception in 2005. We pride ourselves in the research we facilitate, often directly helping wild primates.

Matt’s results are in the pipeline, but we hope this research helps further support the monkey in the wild.

Stay tuned for more updates as more and more primate conservation projects unfold at the forest.

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In 2024, Trentham Monkey Forest joined forces with the Primate Society of Great Britain (PSGB) to support a vital conservation project led by researcher Lorena Fernandez.

The project focused on evaluating the impact of 15 years of community conservation efforts in the Campesino Community of Yambrasbamba in Peru.

At the heart of this endeavour is the critically endangered yellow-tailed woolly monkey (Lagothrix flavicauda), one of the most threatened primate species globally.

The yellow-tailed woolly monkey is not only a symbol of Peru’s rich biodiversity but also a species facing the looming threat of extinction. Classified as Critically Endangered and remarkably understudied, this primate holds the key to understanding the delicate balance of the ecosystem it inhabits—the cloud forest near El Toro, North eastern Peru.

The cloud forest, situated in northern Peru, is the yellow-tailed woolly monkey’s natural habitat. This ecosystem, however, is not just any forest; it is part of one of the most fragile and threatened ecoregions globally. The cloud forest plays a pivotal role in maintaining balance within the environment and is particularly vulnerable in the current context of the climate crisis.

While the study is concentrating on Woolley monkeys, other primates who reside in this area are the following. This means they are also affected by the same factors as the woolley monkeys, and will therefore also benefit from the conservation efforts too!

• Peruvian night monkey
• White-bellied spider monkey
• Marañón white-fronted capuchin

The Aim of the Study:

Lorena Fernandez, as the project lead, expressed the primary goal of the study: to estimate the size of the wild population of yellow-tailed woolly monkeys in the cloud forest of northern Peru. The objective was to assess whether, after 15 years of dedicated community actions aimed at protecting and raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity, the monkey populations have been sustained or, ideally, have experienced growth.

The urgency of this study is underscored by the prevailing climate crisis, which poses unprecedented challenges to biodiversity worldwide. By focusing on the yellow-tailed woolly monkey, the researchers  not only shed light on the primate’s status but also contributed to the broader understanding of how climate change impacts the cloud forest and its inhabitants.

Lorena highlights the significance of community conservation work, emphasizing the 15-year commitment in the Campesino Community of Yambrasbamba. The yellow-tailed woolly monkey serves as a flagship species for these efforts, symbolizing the broader mission of preserving biodiversity and securing the future of the cloud forest.

Trentham Monkey Forest’s financial support of this project, through the PSGB Monkey Forest grant, demonstrates our commitment to a wider conservation effort. By investing in this ground-breaking study, we are playing an important role in helping Lorena advance important scientific knowledge and promote sustainable practices to safeguard the natural world.

As we eagerly await the results of Lorena’s fascinating study, it is clear that the collaboration between Trentham Monkey Forest and the Primate Society of Great Britain is a testament to the power of collective action in the face of environmental challenges.

Best of luck Lorena and thank you for your part in supporting the planets threatened primates!

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In 2023, we were thrilled to announce our latest conservation venture in collaboration with the North Staffordshire Beekeeping Association — a heart-warming project that’s all about our fuzzy friends, the honey bees.

Imagine a flowery meadow alive with the gentle hum of bees working diligently among vibrant blooms. At Monkey Forest, this picturesque scene has now transformed into a reality. We’ve teamed up with the North Staffordshire Beekeeping Association to create a haven for honey bees. This unique partnership has opened doors to an exciting conservation project that demonstrates how every organism, no matter how small, contributes to the harmonious balance of nature.

Why all the buzz about bees? These tiny creatures play a monumental role in our ecosystem, serving as pollinators for a multitude of plant species. The beauty of our flowery meadow now serves as a rich source of nectar for our honey bees, allowing them to not only thrive but also contribute to the pollination process that leads to the growth of countless plants.

This project wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of the North Staffordshire Beekeeping Association. Their commitment to the well-being of these incredible insects is awe-inspiring. With their expertise and passion, they’ve joined forces with us to ensure that a few honey bees have a safe and nurturing environment to call home. Together, we’re not only fostering bee populations but also encouraging greater awareness about the vital role they play in maintaining our planet’s biodiversity.

With a shared commitment to safeguarding our environment, we’re sowing the seeds for a future where the delicate balance of nature is preserved. Let’s spread the word about the incredible journey the honey bees are embarking upon and the sweet rewards they’re working tirelessly to produce.

Our partnership with the North Staffordshire Beekeeping Association is a testament to the power of collaboration, dedication, and shared love for our planet.

Together, we can create a world where the buzz of bees continues to resonate for generations to come.

Stay tuned for more updates on our bee adventure… follow us on our social media channels to keep on top of the buzz

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In 2023, Monkey Forest funded a conservation project in Malaysia to protect Long-tailed macaques through the PSGB (Primate Society of Great Britain).

Dr Sharmini Julita Parmasivam received the Monkey Forest award (funded by the Monkey Forest Adoption Pack Campaign) to complete her project to reduce drivers of human-monkey conflict in Malaysia.

Dr Sharmini’s project involved designing, proto-typing, and rolling out monkey-proof bin latches to prevent Long-tailed macaques from accessing human food bins. Approximately 7,000 complaints are received yearly in Malaysia regarding these macaques and accessible human waste bins were a primary driver for the presence of the macaques in urban communities.

A prototype of a monkey-proof bin latch was designed and tested by the Animal Neighbours Project in 2020, a community-based project led by Dr Sharmini, a veterinarian and senior academic at the University of Surrey. The outcomes revealed the latch to be effective at preventing macaques from accessing bins. Latches were installed in a few areas to test the longevity and effectiveness of this device. Two years on the residents in the pilot study report that the latches are still working to prevent monkeys from accessing food waste!

From our award, latches will be mass-produced and implemented in urban areas across Malaysia with the aim to reduce complaints and empower developers, local government, and residents’ associations to implement a strategy locally to reduce drivers before defaulting to the current practice of requesting the animals must be removed from the area.

This will have a hugely positive impact on the welfare and conservation of Long-tailed macaques in these urban areas.

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In 2022, a wildfire tore through the Bouhachem Forest Reserve in northern Morocco, one of the few remaining refuges for wild Barbary macaques, leaving many wild Barbary macaque monkeys dead.

From July 25th to August 4th, the fire ravaged a large part of where the wild Barbary macaques reside. Over 1/4 of the Bouhachem Forest has been affected by the fire, over 19,768 acres. This is the equivalent of nearly the whole of Stoke-on-Trent being completely destroyed.

The estimated number of monkeys requiring assistance and rescue after the fire is approximately 1800 – 2000 monkeys who are now depleted in food resources. The fire also swept through villages, killing livestock and destroying homes and crops.

Bouhachem is one of the most important remaining habitats for Endangered Barbary macaques, many of whom were killed by the flames. The survivors will now struggle to survive the next few months as so many trees and plants have been destroyed, leaving them with few sources of food.

A rescue operation is now underway to rescue the surviving monkeys within the burnt forest. Food resources will be pledged to meet the monkey’s needs alongside the constant monitoring of the conservation status of the Barbary macaques.

The objective from now to December is to regenerate the natural environment and restore the thriving biodiversity that was once before.

An organisation who we work closely with, BMAC (Barbary macaque Awareness & Conservation), are raising funds to help villagers with emergency food parcels, support communities to recover from the loss of so much infrastructure, and step up the monitoring of the Barbary macaque groups.

Our parks in the UK, Germany and France have pledged important funds to support with the rescue operation on top of our ongoing support for BMAC, the Barbary macaque conservation charity.

If you would like to help, please donate what you can here:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-people-and-animals-affected-by-wild-fires?utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer

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