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Gibraltar to export nuisance Barbary macaque monkeys Gibraltar to export nuisance Barbary macaque monkeys
(35 minutes later)
Gibraltar is to export some of its Barbary macaque monkeys in an attempt to stop the animals running amok through town, foraging in rubbish bins and harassing locals. Gibraltar is to export some of its Barbary macaque monkeys in an attempt to stop the animals running amok through town, foraging in rubbish bins and harassing the locals.
The Barbary macaques, Europe's only wild population of monkeys, will be held in a purpose-built facility and tended to by veterinarians while awaiting their departure in the spring, the government said. The Barbary macaques, Europe's only wild population of monkeys, will be held in a purpose-built facility and cared for by veterinarians while awaiting their departure from Gibraltar in the spring, the government said.
"This marks the beginning of real progress in dealing with macaque numbers that have been allowed to get out of control," said the environment minister, John Cortes, in a statement to the Gibraltar Chronicle."This marks the beginning of real progress in dealing with macaque numbers that have been allowed to get out of control," said the environment minister, John Cortes, in a statement to the Gibraltar Chronicle.
Last year he said the macaques had "lost their fear of humans and regard them as a source of rich food, like chocolate and biscuits."Last year he said the macaques had "lost their fear of humans and regard them as a source of rich food, like chocolate and biscuits."
Authorities hope to avoid another cull like the one carried out five years ago after a rogue pack of monkeys tore through town, vandalising hotel rooms and looting bins. Authorities hope to avoid a cull such as the one carried out five years ago after a rogue pack of monkeys tore through town, vandalising hotel rooms and looting bins.
The government said talks were under way with a "respected third party" who was interested in taking some of the monkeys come spring. Officials would not reveal the identity of the potential buyer, or specify how many of the 200 or so monkeys who roam the Rock could be exported. The government said talks were under way with a "respected third party" who was interested in taking some of the monkeys during the spring. Officials would not reveal the identity of the potential buyer, or specify how many of the 200 or so monkeys that roam the Rock could be exported.
The capture of monkeys for export is due to begin this month, with the first targets being "those which are pestering built-up areas and schools".The capture of monkeys for export is due to begin this month, with the first targets being "those which are pestering built-up areas and schools".
The move is part of a broader strategy by Gibraltar to regain control over the monkeys. Recently the government deployed extra staff to take "firm action" to drive the animals away from town and back to their nature reserve on the Upper Rock. Work is under way to create feeding areas and ponds on the Upper Rock in an effort to lure the monkeys away from town.The move is part of a broader strategy by Gibraltar to regain control over the monkeys. Recently the government deployed extra staff to take "firm action" to drive the animals away from town and back to their nature reserve on the Upper Rock. Work is under way to create feeding areas and ponds on the Upper Rock in an effort to lure the monkeys away from town.
In 2012, 59 people were treated in hospital following attacks by Gibraltar's monkeys, down from 104 the year before.In 2012, 59 people were treated in hospital following attacks by Gibraltar's monkeys, down from 104 the year before.
Jaime Netto, an opposition politician, welcomed the move but pushed for more details on how long and where exactly the animals would be kept before being exported.Jaime Netto, an opposition politician, welcomed the move but pushed for more details on how long and where exactly the animals would be kept before being exported.
He told the Gibraltar Chronicle that answers to this question "would no doubt bring some comfort to the many residents enduring the daily nightmare of unwanted interaction with the wild monkeys." He told the Gibraltar Chronicle that answers to this question "would no doubt bring some comfort to the many residents enduring the daily nightmare of unwanted interaction with the wild monkeys".