Advertisement

Mischievous monkeys to be deported from Gibraltar

Gibraltar is set to export 30 macaques to the UK to try to curb their numbers. Credit: Ben Birchall/PA Archive/Press Association Images.

Thirty raucous residents are set to be shipped out of Gibraltar and sent to the Britain - as the UK colony admits its monkey population has got a little out of control.

The Barbary macaques are a major draw for tourists visiting the small peninsula, which is home to the only wild ape population in Europe.

But with the population now at around 300, and increasing reports of the infamous inhabitants harassing locals, the government has made the decision to deport 30 of them to a UK wildlife park.

The monkeys are thought to be to blame for damaged property, stolen bags and attacks on people.

And they are increasingly abandoning their home on the nature reserve on the Upper Rock to venture into nearby towns.

The export is set to be officially announced at the end of the week.

Previous attempts have been made to curb the number of macaques but a cull of more than 20 and the export of another 20 to a German zoo failed to help.