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How do Barbary macaques live? Two reports from the heart of the park

How is the social life of Barbary macaques organised? What role do males play in caring for the young? What can visitors learn during the feeding talks? Two reports produced by ici Belfort-Montbéliard take you into the heart of La Montagne des Singes.

Discovering the lives of Barbary macaques

In the first report, Guillaume de Turckheim explains how the park works. Visitors remain on the marked paths while the Barbary macaques move freely through the forest.

The interview explores their group life, behaviour and ways of communicating. It also presents several activities available during a visit, including feeding talks, discovery activities, the Naturalists’ Wheel, the “Dans la peau d’un singe” trail, the birdwatching wall and the newt pond.

Detailed English version of the first report

The audio is in French. The text below presents its content in English.

Guillaume de Turckheim accompanies the reporter through La Montagne des Singes and explains the unusual way in which the park is organised. People follow the paths while the Barbary macaques are free to move around the forest. Visitors enter their living area as guests and must follow rules that allow the animals to decide whether or not to approach.

Nature guides are present throughout the route to answer questions and help visitors recognise the behaviours they are observing. They explain the social organisation of Barbary macaques, the relationships between members of a group and the different ways in which they communicate.

The report also introduces the activities offered in the park. Feeding talks provide opportunities to observe the macaques and learn more about the species. Discovery activities and the Naturalists’ Wheel invite visitors to answer questions and explore topics connected with the macaques and the surrounding environment.

The “Dans la peau d’un singe” trail helps visitors understand how primates move and behave through a series of fun activities. The birdwatching wall and the newt pond also draw attention to the other species that can be observed in the forest.

During the visit, the report describes interactions between several macaques. A disagreement can lead one animal to seek support from another member of its group. These observations provide an insight into their family relationships, alliances and methods of resolving tensions.

Feeding talks and Barbary macaque conservation

The second report focuses on Barbary macaque conservation and the threats facing the species. It also explores several aspects of their social life, including the important role played by males in caring for the young.

Guillaume de Turckheim also explains the purpose of the feeding talks. Led by the park’s nature guides at different times throughout the day, they allow visitors to observe the macaques and learn more about their behaviour, relationships and group life.

Detailed English version of the second report

The audio is in French. The text below presents its content in English.

The second report begins in the forest of La Montagne des Singes, where Barbary macaques can move freely while visitors remain on the paths. The forest provides shaded areas and allows the animals to choose where they wish to spend their time.

Guillaume de Turckheim explains that the Barbary macaque is an endangered species. Its survival is threatened by the loss of forest areas, logging, fires and the illegal trade in young macaques as pets. Raising public awareness is therefore an important part of the park’s work.

The report highlights a remarkable aspect of the species’ social life: males take an active role in caring for the young. The bonds between adults, young macaques and other group members contribute to the cohesion of the group.

The feeding talks allow visitors to observe the macaques while a nature guide presents the species and explains its behaviour. The content can change according to what is happening at that moment, making each observation different.

The reporter also observes young macaques playing and forming relationships. Babies can be recognised by their darker coat, which gradually becomes lighter as they grow. These moments help visitors understand the importance of social bonds throughout a macaque’s life.

See Barbary macaques from a new perspective

These two reports offer a glimpse of what visitors can discover at La Montagne des Singes: Barbary macaques roaming freely, their social organisation, their relationships and the many activities available throughout the park.

Discover all the activities at La Montagne des Singes.

Many thanks to ici Belfort-Montbéliard for these reports.