Following months of data collection, the Upper Rock Ape Management team, along with the Chairman of the research panel for the Gibraltar Barbary macaques, Professor Agustin Fuentes are well on their way to bringing to light the macaques sporadic movements around the Rock, as well as their incursions into the more built up areas.

The period of data collection has included the largest study of ranging via remote and satellite telemetry of non-human primates. The study will attempt to facilitate and improve management of the macaques.

The study used remote telemetry through collars worn by the macaques themselves. The team tracked the five monkey packs on the rock, with each having sporadic movements into town. Professor Fuentes noted that some of the daily incursions were extremely rare, indicating that they could be due to a specific reason, as opposed to the macaques just making a random choice to move into a more built up area for the afternoon.

The next stage of the project includes data analysis, with months of information caught with the monkey GPS system. The data collection also served to help with evidence based management for macaques; it could lead to the management team being able to make predictions on town incursions. It will also help to create a better understanding of the ecology of the Gibraltar macaques and lead to more comprehensive information available to the public.

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Environment Minister Dr. John Cortes noted that the Upper Rock Management plan was well into its development stage.