Monkeys of Gibraltar

 here is some info from Wikipedia:

"Originally from the Atlas Mountains and the Rif Mountains of Morocco, the Barbary macaque population in Gibraltar is the only wild monkey population on the European continent. Although most Barbary monkey populations in Africa are experiencing decline due to hunting and deforestation, the Gibraltar population is increasing. As of 2025, some 350-400 animals in six troops occupy the Upper Rock area of the Gibraltar Nature Reserve, though they make occasional forays into the town. As they are a tailless species, they are also known locally as Barbary apes or rock apes, despite being classified as monkeys (Macaca sylvanus). Spanish speakers simply refer to them as monos (English: monkeys) when conversing in Spanish, although English is the native language as the area is a British overseas territory."

"The Gibraltar Barbary macaques are considered by many to be the top tourist attraction in Gibraltar. The most popular troop is that of Queen's Gate at the Ape's Den, where people can get especially close to the monkeys. They will often approach and sometimes climb onto people, as they are used to human interaction. Nevertheless, they are still wild animals and will bite if frightened or annoyed."

"Deliberately feeding the macaques in Gibraltar is now an offence punishable by law. Anyone caught feeding the monkeys is liable to be fined up to £4,000."

We were admonished to not carry any food and not to touch the monkeys nor to feed them.  We first encounter them outside St. Michael's cave...

Then we dirve on to the Monkey Den feeding area where there are many many many many people and a very very very narrow road where taxis and vans are at a standstill as a queque has formed to go slowly through the area.

From this point the monkey encounters were much less frequent and we finished our tour of the Rock with the tunnels (SkyWalk was lcosed for repairs) and thaked the guide and went on our way back home.