Monkeys at Gibraltar

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21244, 16 August 1934, Page 5 (Supplement)

Monkeys at Gibraltar

The Rock of Gibraltar is the only place in Europe where monkeys are found outside zoological gardens. People who have seen these little tailless apes running about have often wondered how they came to be there. There is a very old rumour on the Rock that they came under the Straits of Gibraltar from Africa, which is only a few miles away at that point. They are supposed to have first appeared outside St. Michael's cave, which is nothing more nor less than a bottomless hole in the Rock. But although that is the tale the Gibraltarians will tell you, the origin of the rock-apes remains a mystery to this day. They are friendly little chaps and easily tamed. Yean? ago they used to come right down into the town, and some people used to keep them as pets. But:: they made such a nuisance of themselves that the authorities said they; were not to be encouraged. And, since the day that they broke into.the classrooms of the Europa Con--vent, and frightened all the pupils, and ate the- chalk, and drank the t ink, they have not been allowedj to come below a certain point <*** the Ttnck.