Barbary macaque Awareness & Conservation Annual Report 2024/2025
10th Jul 2025
We don’t just care for the Barbary macaques in our neck of the woods at Trentham Monkey Forest, we fight for their future in the wild. That’s why we’re proud to support the Barbary Macaque Awareness and Conservation (BMAC) charity and their critical work in Morocco’s Bouhachem Forest.
The Barbary macaques of Bouhachem had a relatively safe and successful 2024. Birth rates returned to normal, and most importantly, no wildfires were reported, a welcome relief after previous years of devastation, of which Monkey Forest helped with revival funding.
Thanks to donors like Trentham Monkey Forest, BMAC was able to invest in firefighting equipment to help protect macaques and forest habitat from future threats. The team hopes it will never be needed, but ensures that they’re prepared for the worst.
2024 saw a troubling rise in macaques being kept as pets. BMAC identified social media as a growing factor, with influencers and photo touts in cities like Marrakech promoting the use of infant macaques as props.
One infant was confiscated after a disturbing video showed him being washed and dried like a dog. Thanks to BMAC, he was released into a wild group in Bouhachem and quickly accepted by a wild male.
Two more macaques were abandoned in the forest by their owners. The BMAC team rescued them before they could starve or be harmed and began their rehabilitation at a sanctuary.
These rescues highlight why education, enforcement, and rescue efforts remain more important than ever.
Raising awareness is central to BMAC’s mission.
In 2024:
- An Arabic-language info plaque was installed in Bouhachem to educate visitors about macaques and fire safety
- Over 900 students in eight schools received macaque conservation lessons
- 48 children participated in a forest school field trip
- At a local football tournament, BMAC reached 200 men and boys living near macaque habitat
This kind of outreach is essential for building a conservation culture that lasts.
BMAC is not only working on the ground, but they’re also influencing global conservation efforts:
Team leader Siân Waters presented at international conferences and co-authored publications on ethical wildlife tourism and conservation impact
The team mentored 30 young African primatologists, ensuring that future conservation is inclusive and community-driven
At Trentham Monkey Forest, we share BMAC’s vision: a world where Barbary macaques thrive in the wild, safe from trafficking, habitat destruction, and exploitation.
Through our support, BMAC can:
- Rescue and rehabilitate macaques in crisis
- Educate future generations of conservationists and local citizens
- Protect forests from fire and human pressure
- Fight the illegal wildlife trade and raise global awareness
Every visit helps us to support BMAC and our other conservation partners.
Together, we can secure a future for Barbary macaques in the forest, where they belong.
