Revisiting the Origins and the Early History of the Gibraltar Macaques

ABSTRACT

The Gibraltar macaques are a transplanted species that originated in the Barbary States (Morocco and Algeria). Their origin on the Rock under British rule dates back to the eighteenth century, but most likely preceded the British period. We question the argument that the reason for the introduction of monkeys to Gibraltar was based on hunting the species for sport. Rather, we argue that the presence of macaques may have arisen for multiple reasons: for the purpose of trade and for pets; for partial realization of colonial officials’ desire to botanize the Rock; and for the fulfilment of our human affinity with nature. Whatever the factors at play, the macaques had acquired the status of a protected species by the late eighteenth century at least, and their continuous presence to this very day is still the product of human agency.

KEYWORDS:

• Botanize
• Gibraltar
• human–animal interaction
• macaques
• origins
• pets/trade

Acknowledgements

We thank Patricia Cash for assisting us with editing all drafts of the manuscript.

Disclosure Statement

The authors declare there are no conflicts of interest.