Groundbreaking Moment for Monkey Forest as 'Crinkle' Makes Scientific History

At Trentham Monkey Forest, we’ve always known our monkeys are special - but one of our residents has just made global scientific history.

Meet Crinkle, a Barbary macaque living here in our 60-acre woodland. She has become the first of her species in the world to have her entire genome sequenced a breakthrough that could help protect Barbary macaques for generations to come.

Why This Discovery Matters!

Barbary macaques are endangered, with wild populations now limited to small areas of North Africa (less than 8,000 remain in the wild). Until now, scientists didn’t have a complete genetic reference for the species, making conservation efforts much more challenging.

Crinkle’s DNA has changed that.

With her genome now fully mapped, researchers finally have a genetic “master key” to:

• Understand the health and diversity of wild populations
• Track where individual monkeys come from
• Support stronger conservation strategies

Even more exciting? Scientists have already traced Crinkle’s ancestry back to wild populations near Ifrane and Khenifra National Parks in Morocco, connecting Monkey Forest directly to the species’ natural roots!

This incredible achievement was made possible through collaboration between:

• Liverpool John Moores University
• Institute Scientifique de Rabat
• Atlas Golden Wolf Project

It highlights how conservation is truly a global effort, linking our monkeys here in the UK with vital habitats in North Africa.

As our Park Director Matt Lovatt explains:

“Crinkle represents not just our forest, but a species facing real threats in the wild. Knowing that her DNA could help protect Barbary macaques from poaching and illegal trade is something truly special.”

Here’s where things get even more impactful 👇

In 2024, scientists carried out a nationwide DNA study across Morocco, collecting samples from wild Barbary macaques. This created a detailed genetic map of the species.

Dr Patrick Tkaczynski from Liverpool John Moores University said: “Barbary macaques used to be found all around the Mediterranean, but now they are isolated to a few pockets across North Africa and Gibraltar. Our survey of Morocco was really successful, and we managed to collect non-invasive samples from macaques across their geographic range within that country, from the Rif Mountains in the North, all the way down to High Atlas Mountains in the South.

When combined with Crinkle’s genome, this becomes a powerful tool because:

• Authorities can identify where trafficked monkeys were taken from
• Confiscated animals can potentially be returned to the right region
• Conservation teams can better protect vulnerable populations

This kind of science could literally transform the fight versus illegal wildlife trade!!

Barbary macaques once lived across much of the Mediterranean. Today, their numbers are declining, but this breakthrough offers real hope.

With better data comes:

• Smarter conservation planning
• More targeted protection efforts
• Stronger action against poaching

Prof Sidi Imad Cherkaoui from Institute Scientifique de Rabat: “The Moroccan government has an Action Plan in place for the conservation of Barbary macaques, and the combination of Crinkle’s genome and our genetic map can dramatically improve our efforts to save this iconic species.”

So when you visit Trentham Monkey Forest, you’re supporting a place that contributes to real, world-changing conservation!

And somewhere in the forest... Crinkle is going about her day after quietly making history - if she's about we're sure one of the guides would be more than happy to point her out to you - our little history maker!