Apes Den

One of Gibraltar’s most iconic attractions, the Barbary Macaque, normally only seen in North Africa are a main feature of the Upper Rock Nature Reserve. Their presence in Gibraltar is said to date from the early days of the British Garrison.

Many legends surround the Macaques such as, should they ever disappear, the British will leave Gibraltar. This was taken to heart by Winston Churchill during WWII, who on hearing of the diminishing numbers had further mating pairs imported from Morocco.

Today, in addition to Ape’s Den, there are other packs living wild on the slopes of the Rock making it the only location in Europe that one can find such animals roaming free.