New endangered Macaque arrivals make a troop of six at Folly Farm Zoo

Folly Farm has welcomed four new additions to its zoo, all the way from Blair Drummond Safari Park in Scotland as part of the European Breeding Programme, managed through their membership with EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) Ex situ Programmes (EEPs).

The newbies, including four-year-old Fia, Gigi who’s almost three, two-year-old Harper and 12-year-old Annalee arrived at the award-winning Pembrokeshire attraction on 21 July, and have been settling in to life at their new home alongside resident Folly Farm Barbary macaques including 19-year-old Leila and 21-year-old Vivian. All the new arrivals were born at Blair Drummond, apart from Annalee, who arrived with the Scottish safari park as a rescue from the pet trade.

Folly Farm resident Barbary macaques ‘Vivian’ and ‘Leila’ were also rescued from the pet trade many years ago and arrived at the zoo in 2008. Earlier this year, Folly Farm completed an upgrade to its original macaque enclosure as part of its ongoing commitment to investment and updating existing exhibits. For the benefit of the existing residents as well as the impending arrival of these four macaques, the newly themed enclosure was updated to include a brand-new house for the troop, with plenty of safe indoor space and branches to climb and shelter as well as a bio floor where the troop can forage for insects. The outdoor area of the enclosure includes more climbing features and different levels, a pond and ‘tree house’ style shelter for the animals. All six macaques have been mixed together and are starting their new chapter as one troop at the new Macaque Medina enclosure.

Mixing new animals with an established group is always a challenge, and the zookeepers at Folly Farm were prepared for some unsettled behaviour within the troop, in particular from long-time residents Vivian and Leila who have been so settled with each other for such a long time. With the new youngsters joining the more ‘mature’ ladies, the introduction was naturally one to be monitored closely by the experienced animal care team.

Rosie Badger, Primate Keeper and Assistant Zoo Manager at Folly Farm said; "It's always nerve-wracking to introduce new arrivals into an established group. The arrival of Fia, Harper, Gigi and Annalee certainly ruffled Leila and Vivian’s feathers. They weren't too keen on the young and energetic new arrivals taking over their space! Macaques are quite vocal when there's anything they're unhappy with, so there was some 'shouting' as well as some chasing around the enclosure whilst they tried to assert their dominance and work out their social order.

“This is completely normal, expected behaviour whilst the troop get to know each other and should settle down in the coming days."

Barbary macaques are an endangered species due to deforestation, the pet trade and human interference. Over 50% of wild Barbary macaque populations have declined over the last 40 years. It’s now thought that fewer than 8,000 Barbary macaques remain in the wild. Folly Farm’s Macaque Medina exhibit highlights these threats in the hope guests learn more about them and how they can help with conservation efforts.

Folly Farm supports a number of conservation charities including Barbary Macaque Awareness and Conservation (BMAC’s) work in Morocco who its been raising funds for over a number of years. The organisation works tirelessly to raise awareness of the importance of protecting the macaques.

You can see the impressive new troop of Barbary Macaques at Folly Farm now!