Barbary Macaques

I was in Northern Morocco last week on what was mainly a birding trip and so didn’t really see any mammals of note. However, for information I thought I would mention that I saw a troop of at least 13 Barbary Macaques in the Forest of Bouhachem (Rif Mountains) just west of the town of Chefchaouen. A location not often mentioned when it comes to finding Barbary Macaques, it is also easily accessible from S. W. Spain via the Algeciras – Ceuta ferry (the route I took). The Macaques were feeding amongst Cork Oaks by the road and although shy and unapproachable on foot were easily viewed from the vehicle.