<P> The Gibraltar Barbary macaques are considered by many to be the top tourist attraction in Gibraltar . The most popular troop is that of Queen's Gate at the Apes' Den, where people can get especially close to the monkeys . They will often approach and sometimes climb onto people, as they are used to human interaction . Nevertheless, they are still wild animals and will bite if frightened or annoyed . </P> <P> The macaques' contact with large numbers of tourists was causing the integrity of their social groups to break down, as they began to become dependent on humans . This induced the monkeys to forage in the town, resulting in damage to buildings, clothing, and vehicles . Close contact with humans has also led to the macaques learning how to open pockets and unzip handbags and rucksacks in order to steal food from humans . For these reasons, deliberately feeding the macaques in Gibraltar is now an offence punishable by law . Anyone caught feeding the monkeys is liable to be fined up to £ 4,000 . </P> <P> Gibraltar's Barbary macaque population was under the care of the British Army and later the Gibraltar Regiment from 1915 to 1991, who carefully controlled a population that initially consisted of a single troop . The' Keeper of the Apes' would keep the official records, maintaining an up - to - date register for each ape, listing their births and names and supervising their diet, which they drew officially every week . The food allowance of fruit, vegetables and nuts was included in the budget, set by the War Office at £ 4 a month in 1944 . They would humorously announce births in the' Gibraltar Chronicle':--"Rock Apes . Births: To Phyllis, wife of Tony, at the Upper Rock, on 30th June 1942--a child . Both doing well ." much to the delight of readers . They were named after governors, brigadiers and high - ranking officers . Any ill or injured monkey needing surgery or any other form of medical attention was taken to Royal Naval Hospital Gibraltar and received the same treatment as would an enlisted service man . When UK - based infantry units were withdrawn and garrison duty was left to the Gibraltar Regiment, the Government of Gibraltar took over responsibility for the monkeys . </P> <Ul> <Li> Lt Bill Parker of the Royal Artillery (1944--unknown) </Li> <Li> Major WO Skelton of the Royal Artillery (circa 1951) </Li> <Li> Gunner Wilfred Portlock of the Royal Artillery Regiment (circa 1940 - 1960) </Li> <Li> Sgt Alfred Holmes of the Gibraltar Regiment (circa 1958--circa 1986) </Li> <Li> Pte . Kenneth Asquez of the Gibraltar Regiment (circa 1986--1991) </Li> </Ul>

Where did the monkeys in gibraltar come from