Close up observation of small primates began for me in 2002, in the Alsace Region of France. La Montagne des Singes was the first time I was face to face with a monkey.
Near the top of a mountain lives a group of free ranging Barbary macaques, in a semi-wild habitat. More than 200 macaques call the reserve home. Although, the park is open for tourists it is also a research sight and major conservation organization. In fact, they've successfully reintroduced more than 600 Barbary macaques into North Africa.
Visiting the monkeys in France was a changing moment for me. It was a trip of awe and reflection. It was the first time that I connected with a small primate (albeit by offering popcorn).
The adult macaque gently took the popcorn from my open hand, and ate the piece in quiet calm sitting next to me. The monkeys of La Montagne des Singes are very habituated and fairly non-aggressive towards people.
That first experience with macaques sowed the seeds of a question that I am still trying to answer: how can we coexist with small primates without conflict?
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