More Monkeying Around on the Rock of Gibraltar!

Looking around from the top of the Rock, it's obvious the monkeys came here for the fabulous view!  But seriously folks, the official name for these monkeys is the Barbary Macaques, and sings say that it is most likely that these little cuties are NOT native to Gibraltar.  In fact, according to the signage, "[i]t is likely that they were brought to the Rock by the Moors, who may have brought these animals as pets with them from the Barbary.  The population of the Macaques on Gibraltar suffered a severe decline during the Second World War, when it has to be supplemented with individuals from North Africa." 

"Barbary Macaques are native to North Africa.  They once ranged from the Atlantic coast of Morocco to Tunisia and Libya. However, due to habitat loss and human persecution, their distribution has contracted sharply.  Nowadays, wild Barbary Macaques are only found in the more mountainous regions of Morocco and Algeria, and of course, Gibraltar.  The Barbary Macaque is classified as 'vulnerable' by World Conservation Union (IUCN).  It has unfavorable conservation status and action is required to ensure the survival of this unique animal in its natural habitats."

I always thought that the Rock of Gibraltar was a little barren island or large rock in the straight of Gibraltar.  Imagine my surprise when I out that the "Rock" is Gibraltar itself.  Everybody there lives ON the rock of Gibraltar which is actual connect to Spain, though it is a British Territory!  It was so cool!

Clouds forming over the tip top of the Rock!  So cool...blogging about that also later this week!

A look at this warning sign may help you understand why no one but my oldest wanted to try to pose with one of the monkeys.  He is famous for saying that you only need to worry about doing such things if you are afraid you are going to die...Ah, youth!  Our youngest, on the other hand, has always been a very old soul!

We were discussing whether or not we were going to walk down to the actual "Ape's Den" as they call, when one of the workers heard our discussion and encouraged us to go down.  He had heard us (my youngest and me) expressing our trepidation about going down to where there were even more monkeys.  We had already seen two young ones jump on some guys back.  He told us that the monkeys are very well taken care of by veterinarians, and are vaccinated against rabies and on flea and tick medication.  So I asked him, "I mean, really, how often is someone bitten by one of these monkeys?"  To which, he replied very matter-of-factly, "Everyday."  "Everyday????" I cried.  "Someone is bitten everyday?"  "Well, bitten or scratched," he said. "In fact, someone's already been bitten today."  When I asked him why people were being bitten, he said it's because they are trying to pet or feed them, which as you can see from the sign is strictly forbidden...Yeah, that's right...it's cool to be a rule follower now, huh?

Here he is with his not-so-shy lady friend!

Think monkey makes me think of the fictional character Curious George!

The man told us they are not picking fleas or bugs off of eachother, they are picking off the dead skin...Exfoliating...okay, for the sake of my fear, I decided to believe this...

Watch this little monkey as he climbs up to a balcony at least 20 feet above him through a series of jumps.

Guess he wanted to see if this lady had anything in purse.

These monkeys have a nice life.  You can't be the weather.  They have medical care and their food is brought into them.  They enjoy the company of their family and entertain guests everyday!

...And don't forget that view!

This one is considering taking a ride down on the cable car...

This little baby is having a blast!

Totally oblivious to passersby...grooming takes precedence above decorum   in the Monkey World, apparently!

I love seeing all these monkey families!

Could motto be...Eat, Sleep and Be Merry!

This pic makes me want to hum the tune....Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay...

Of course, they like to perch on everything, including trees, rocks, stair, cars...and your head!

Another Warning Sign!!!  They much more docile with their mouths closed. Don't you think??  It is a £100 for touching the monkeys and £500 for feeding them...We saw people doing both...Apparently, these signs are enough of a deterrent...

When they look like this...nobody thinks they will bite...Someone gets bitten everyday, people...I'm just sayin'

This one wants to look at the view through the binoculars...

This is the sweet shot I posted previously of a mother and baby together.  It is just so sweet how this mother is kissing her little baby.  It is surely one of the sweetest things I have ever seen!  Again, this is why people want to reach out and touch them...

After getting some encouragement from the man who worked there, we took the VERY steep walk down to the Ape's Den.  The good news is that my knee held!  Way to go, Dr Ferrer!  The Ape's Den is about halfway down and since you'd never want to climb back up, you can walk out on that big arm and catch the cable car at the half-way point.  That was pretty scary, but better than walking...

This is what I'm talking about!!!  Are these people insane???  Who in the world would want one of these monkeys on their head exfoliating their scalp????  Brave or stupid? I guess it depends on whether or not you get bitten...

This German lady pulled out an orange for one of the monkeys and almost started a riot.  She gave it to one monkey, but then another came down and swiped it away, so the crawled back on top of the car.  I think her plan was to sit there until the lady gave her another one...And I thought the Germans were supposed to be rule followers, for the most part.  In their defense, the signs were only in English and Spanish...but seriously, we all know it goes without saying!

So we climbed the stairs to walk out on the arm where we could catch the cable car.  My youngest was nervous, so was I.  The whole thing would shake as the cable car got closer.  You find yourself praying that it's really secured to the side of that Rock!  these monkeys were running up and down the supports.  I was so nervous that would fall to their deaths!

And there's Africa...across the Strait of Gibraltar...not really too far of a trip for the original monkeys and their owners...

This guys came all the way out to the gate with us.  I turned to face him, so he wouldn't jump on my back.  These monkeys are certainly sure-footed, but also crazy...there is no net and it's a loooong way down!

My youngest was very happy to be safe inside the cable car and going down.  He had enough of those crazy monkeys for one day!  What an experience!  Hasta luego...