A HANDFUL of Gibraltar’s famous monkeys are set to have their every move tracked as part of a new study into their behaviour.
Six of the Rock’s barbary macaques will be fitted with cutting-edge GPS collars that will send fine-scale location data back to researchers at the University of Gibraltar.
The work is being led by Lillianne Hawkins as part of her Masters research, supported by funding from the Darwin Plus Fellowship.
The temporary collars, which are lightweight and include an automatic release mechanism, will monitor the movements of the macaques over a period of between two and four months.
The study aims to provide additional insight into habitat use and spatial overlap between neighbouring troops.
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It also hopes to shine a light on how neighbouring troops influence one another across different parts of the Upper Rock component of the Gibraltar Nature Reserve.
Throughout the study, the animals involved will be regularly observed by the Macaque Management Team and project researchers.
Environment minister Professor John Cortes said: “This is yet another useful research project which will help us better understand the exact movements of our flagship macaques.
“It builds on the initial work carried out in 2013 by the GONHS and Notre Dame University (USA) and will undoubtedly provide valuable and updated information for the team of professionals working behind the scenes to ensure our macaques are well cared for.”
An estimated 300 barbary macaques live on the Rock of Gibraltar – the only Old World monkeys living in Europe.
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