We have some great news from the primate team at AAP Spain. Two of our recently rescued Barbary macaques, Chitto and Lu, have been introduced to each other – and the chemistry between them is spectacular. The youngsters both had a difficult start in life, without the company of others of their kind. Now they both belong to one big family.
Two young macaques on their own
Lu was found wandering the streets of a town in France. Estimated to be just over two years old, she presumably escaped from a private residence or was abandoned by her former owners, as she had a rope around her neck. Chitto, meanwhile, was handed over by his owner in Germany when he was barely a year old. He had been given to them as a pet.
Both were young primates who, at the most crucial stage of their lives for socialisation, found themselves on their own. Far from their natural habitat, they were living in an environment that was not at all suitable for them – and in which they could not live like the wild animals they are.
Immediate connection
Chitto was the first to arrive at AAP Spain after his rescue in late 2025. As he was still a young animal, there was an urgent need to provide him with the company of a foster mother. Barbary macaque Beatrix took on the role.
When Lu arrived a few months later, it was already clear to us that we would try to socialise her with Chitto. Once Chitto had made progress in his socialisation process within Xipo’s group, alongside the females Babouche, Suzette, Jdira and Bea, it was time to move on to Lu.
And the bond was immediately strong. Lu has gradually got to know all the members of the group, but it is with Chitto that the young Barbary macaque will be able to let her energy run wild.
Video: Chitto and Lu together
As we can see from these lovely images, Chitto and Lu are inseparable.A large group
Now, this large group of seven primates has just taken their next step: they are all together in AAP’s outdoor enclosures in Spain. And although it is still very early in the socialisation process, and we cannot yet know whether the group will remain stable, this news certainly gives us hope for a good outcome.
Chitto and Lu should never have ended up in anyone’s home, nor should they have been deprived of their social nature with their own kind. Seeing them have the chance to grow up together, in the company of their own kind, makes us immensely happy. So we’re keeping our fingers crossed that everything goes well for the rest of the process.
