Top of the Rock / Apes Den
Upper rock nature reserve
15 min
Gibraltar's most recognised residents, the Barbary Macaques are normally found in North Africa, but their presence in Gibraltar probably dates back to arround the seventh century when it is presumed that they were imported by the arabs as pets.
The apes have become such a staple of Gibraltar that it is claimed should all the macaques ever disappear from the rock, the British will leave Gibraltar. This folktale was of such significance that during the second world war, as natural causes diminished the macaque numbers alarmingly, Sir Winston Churchill ordered additional animals were imported from Morocco. Today there are arround 250 macaques on the rock, living in 5 seperate paacks.
The apes are wild animals and may react violently if visitors get too close. They are known to attack and inflict serious bites in such instances, although all our guides have been first aid trained.
