Born to be Wild
Project for the survival of the endangered
Barbary Macaque
Step by step, back to the wild
Since 2017, AAP Animal Advocacy and Protection has been working in two national parks in Morocco to save the endangered Barbary macaque. By working closely together with the Morroccan government and other partners, the Born to be Wild project ensures that the poaching of young Barbary macaques and the illegal trade in these animals stops. We also reached an important milestone in 2025: we have released the first groups of Barbary macaques back into the wild!
Endangered species
Research confirmed the worst in 2013: the Barbary macaque is on the verge of extinction. Less than 7.500 Barbary macaques were still living in the wild (Morocco and Algeria). Baby Barbary macaques are snatched from the wild by poachers and then illegally traded. The animals then end up as pets or tourist attractions. In addition, the natural habitat of the Barbary macaque is rapidly being destroyed. High time for action, because the Barbary macaque must not become extinct!
So far, we’re successful! Since the start of the initiative, the Moroccan government, with the help of AAP and other partners, has been working hard to push back the illegal trade in Barbary macaques in Morocco. The first part of Born to be Wild focused on Ifrane National Park. Rangers monitor the national park to prevent poaching, hunting by fruitfarmers and forest fires. They also take care of knowledge enhancement amongst locals about the usefulness of the Barbary macaque and why this primate species should be protected.
Slowly improving
Since the start of the project, many dozens of Barbary macaques have been confiscated and gradually the wild populations are improving.
However, the work does not stop there. The confiscated animals needed a future and what could be a better one than giving these animals a chance to return to the wild?
In 2022, we started a second project in Tazekka National Park in the Middle Atlas mountain range in Morocco. Barbary macaques once lived here in the wild, but due to human activity, this species has disappeared. However, the area is suitable for Barbary macaques, which is why it was decided to return the animals to the wild in this location. A unique reintroduction project in AAP’s history!
First group of Barbary macaques released!
At the beginning of October 2025, the moment we had been working towards for years finally arrived: the first group of Barbary macaques was released into the wild!
The group consists of 15 animals: 6 males, 6 females and 3 juveniles. The animals were first placed in a temporary release enclosure so that they could get used to their new environment. It soon became clear that they were ready, and it was time to open the doors of the enclosure.
One by one, the animals walked towards their freedom – a magical moment! Some animals hesitated for a moment, waiting for the others to join. Other animals jumped out immediately and climbed into the cedar and cork oak trees. Ayoub, the leader of the group, soon began to display protective behaviour. A good sign. The group will be closely monitored using GPS collars, so that researchers can study the movements and behaviour of the animals in their natural environment.
Preparations release of next group in full swing
We plan to release the second large group of Barbary macaques in the spring of 2026. Meanwhile, preparations are also in full swing to release a third group of Barbary macaques at a later date. This group of rescued Barbary macaques is already at our rehabilitation centre, where we have begun their socialisation and rehabilitation process. Together with the animals that have already been released, these animals will hopefully grow into a healthy new population in the protected nature reserve of Tazekka National Park.Being a Barbary macaque again
A long process preceded the return of the Barbary macaques to the wild. All the animals were in fact confiscated animals. We spend the first year socialising the animals, creating groups until we finally had two large groups.
Thereafter, these groups lived for a year in so-called feral enclosures where they learned everything. For instance, they had to learn to be Barbary macaques again, to show natural behaviour, to recognise dangers such as birds of prey and snakes, and to get along with other animals of the same species. They can now also find food on their own again and no longer focus on humans.
Slowly we have formed new groups that are stable enough to survive together in the wild. Meanwhile, young Barbary macaques are also being born, which further strengthens the group bond.
Video: steps towards freedom
Finally free
The Barbary macaques will be released in two groups in 2025. The first group will be brought to a remote site in Tazekka National Park in spring, where they can spend a few days getting used to the new location in a temporary enclosure. Then we will open the hatch and they will be able to find their own place in this beautiful area. The second group of animals will follow at another location in the park in autumn 2025.
Video: last preparations
The greatest threat to Barbary macaques in Morocco’s Tazekka National Park is dogs. To survive, the Barbary macaques must raise the alarm and run up trees. They also need to learn to recognize snakes and birds of prey as dangers. We have developed a special training programme for this purpose.
Impact
For the first few years of Born to be Wild, we focused on Ifrane National Park. There, a group of local park rangers works hard to protect the Barbary ape. And this has had a big effect so far: from 2017 to 2020, the wild population of Barbary macaques being monitored increased by 32%!
When the animals are released in Tazekka National Park, we will intensively monitor and observe them. They will be fitted with a GPS collar so we can determine their home range. This is also important information for the release of the second group.
As in Ifrane National Park, rangers will be trained to monitor the Barbary macaques and to educate people about what they should and should not do in order to protect the animals. Together with universities and the Moroccan government, we carry out project for to strengthen community engagement to prevent human-wildlife conflict.