The question of whether monkeys exist in Europe has a straightforward answer with a singular exception. Generally, Europe is not home to any native, wild primate species outside of humans. A primate is a mammal belonging to the order Primates, which includes monkeys, apes, and prosimians. The British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar, located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, hosts a distinctive and long-established colony of tailless monkeys. This population represents the only non-human primate group living wild on the European continent today.
The Barbary Macaques of Gibraltar
The unique primate population found in Gibraltar belongs to the species Macaca sylvanus, commonly known as the Barbary macaque. These monkeys are primarily concentrated in the Upper Rock Nature Reserve, a protected area covering the upper reaches of the famous limestone promontory. As of recent estimates, the colony consists of approximately 300 individuals distributed across five separate troops. The Barbary macaque is recognized as the only wild monkey population in Europe, making it a significant biological anomaly.
These macaques are technically Old World monkeys, despite being frequently and incorrectly called “Barbary apes” due to their lack of a tail. Their presence has profoundly integrated into the culture and identity of Gibraltar. A well-known local legend maintains that as long as the monkeys remain on the Rock, the territory will continue to be under British rule. This belief highlights the deep, symbolic importance these animals hold for the small territory.
Historical Status and Introduction Theories
The exact origin of the Gibraltar macaque colony remains a subject of historical and scientific debate. One hypothesis suggests that the monkeys are a relic population, descendants of macaques that were once widespread across Southern Europe during warmer periods like the Pliocene. However, modern genetic analysis shows that all mitochondrial DNA haplotypes are also present in North African populations. This evidence suggests a closer, more recent connection to the African mainland, diminishing the possibility of ancient European origins.
The predominant theory points to human introduction from North Africa across the Strait of Gibraltar. Historical accounts suggest the macaques may have been brought over by the Moors during their occupation of the Iberian Peninsula between the 8th and 15th centuries. Other records place their established presence on the Rock before the British capture in 1704.
Human intervention has also been a documented factor in maintaining the colony, particularly during times of military conflict. During the Second World War, the macaque population dwindled to as few as seven individuals. Fearing the loss of the monkeys would signal the end of British control, Prime Minister Winston Churchill ordered an immediate replenishment of the colony. This restocking effort sourced animals from North Africa. Genetic studies confirm this dual origin, showing the founding females were imported from both Algerian and Moroccan populations.
Why Mainland Europe Lacks Wild Primates
Outside of the exceptional, human-maintained population in Gibraltar, mainland Europe lacks any native wild monkeys due to long-term ecological and climatic shifts. Primates were common across Europe during the Miocene epoch, approximately 23 to 5.3 million years ago, when the climate was much warmer and wetter. As the planet cooled, culminating in the major glacial cycles of the Pleistocene Ice Ages, the required tropical and subtropical habitats disappeared. Monkeys generally rely on a year-round food supply and could not survive the extensive periods of cold and seasonal resource scarcity.
The vast majority of modern primates are adapted to the tropics, requiring consistent warmth and non-seasonal food availability. Europe’s temperate climate, even in the south, features winters that strip trees bare and halt the growth of essential food sources for many months. Furthermore, the massive Saharan desert acts as a natural barrier, preventing any significant natural migration or recolonization from Africa. This combination of historical extinction due to cooling and modern geographical isolation explains why the warm Mediterranean shores remain primate-free.