Primates NOT Playmates – Why visitors cannot touch the monkeys

We are sorry! We know that some people might be completely exhausted about rules and restrictions, especially when it comes to social distancing. But we want to politely remind our guests that distancing is still a thing at the Forest, as we have 140 free-roaming, semi-wild endangered primates to protect.

Our Barbary macaques are very cute, we know, especially the babies. But let’s not forget, they are wild primates not our playmates. The Forest is their habitat where we want them to feel comfortable…

One of the best and most magical things about Trentham Monkey Forest is the fact that our Barbary macaques are completely free to be themselves. This allows our guests to be in complete awe when visiting and observing their fascinating natural behaviours.

 

Observe the jaw-dropping beauty of Barbary macaques at the perfect distance

 

All of us here at the Forest are so passionate about the fact that our Barbary macaques can naturally monkey around and explore life within the troop and we want this to continue for many years to come.

 

But we need your help.

 

With less than 8,000 of these beautiful creatures left in the wild, we need to make sure we do our upmost to protect them and preserve their natural behaviour.

This is why it is SO important that our guests continue to respect the monkey’s free space and DO NOT try to touch or feed them. As this is disturbing the vital work that the Monkey Forest is doing to preserve and protect the natural behaviour of this beautiful primate.

Barbary macaques are, unfortunately, endangered species. The population has decreased by more than 50% in the last 30 years and there are fewer than 8000 wild Barbary macaques left.

 

Monkey Forest is strongly committed to the protection of the species by:

  • Raising public awareness for the need to protect this endangered species by giving people the opportunity to observe the Barbary macaques in a setting very similar to their natural habitat
  • Developing educational information to help engage our visitors
  • Working with organisations to help protect wild Barbary macaques, such as Barbary macaque Awareness and Conservation (BMAC).

 

We politely request that our guests respect the park rules and help us to continue to make life-lasting family memories for everyone. .