Tom PowellGIBRALTAR’S 30 worst offending barbary apes have been sent to Scotland after too much monkeying around on The Rock.
The apes – who have been harassing locals, rummaging through bins and pick-pocketing tourists – have been transported to Blair Drummond Safari Park, near Stirling.
The move is the first large-scale export of the apes away from The Rock since the 1990s and will prevent Gibraltar’s environmental agency culling the iconic animals.
Gibraltar’s environment minister John Cortes said: “This was the group that was giving us the most problems.
“It is sad to see them go, but they will be going to an excellent home and it is so much better than culling them.
“We wish our monkeys a safe journey and a happy future in Scotland.”
The marauding macaques – 11 males and 19 females – were identified as Gibraltar’s most mischievous by the environmental agency after officials monitored their movements.
There are still around 200 apes on the Rock and according to folklore, The Rock would cease to be British if the monkeys leave.
This was reinforced by Winston Churchill during the Second World War, when he shipped extra monkeys from Morocco to bolster their population.
Barbary apes are also found in the Rif mountains, in northern Morocco.
freds looking happy today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!..sorry fred
Spoilsports! Now the only mischief they can get up to will be ripping off windscreen wipers, aerials and other bits of car trim.
stefanjo ,Glasgow’s always been the same.BTW have these apes still got the YES stickers from last month??…………good god I’m naughty today!!
@pg, no worries, they are highly intelligent creatures and of course we would not be here without our little primate friends. Amazing to think that these creatures have a higher IQ than Derek.
good one Fred!
Will they be given little kilts and wee drop?