Monkeys are fed in the mornings…
We feed the monkeys between 10.30am and noon. But remember they are wild animals and don’t always turn up on time!
If they are not at the platform by 10.30am, there is still a good chance you will see them as you walk through because they sleep in Welchman Hall Gully and make their way to the platform in the mornings. Read more about our monkey conservation project here.
We do not feed the monkeys by hand. We simple put food down for them and walk away.
Hand feeding monkeys breaks the fear barrier between them and us. It seems cute at first, but when wild animals are fed by hand, they become aggressive over time.
It is then that the animal is considered dangerous to humans and is killed.
Our monkeys are no exception and will become aggressive when hand fed.
Since the monkeys are not fed by hand, it is relatively safe to be close to them, but they will not touch you. Please never go more than 15 feet (5m) towards them.
They actually watch visitors with as much interest as we watch them.
Green monkeys are definitely the cutest, but sometimes the naughtiest, wildlife found in Barbados.
They originate in West Africa and arrived as pets, but soon escaped and called Barbados home.
You can watch wild green monkeys in their natural habitat at Welchman Hall Gully.
There’s one large troop living in the gully. You can see them tuck into bananas on our specially built feeding platform, which is near the gully entrance.
Monkeys forage all day, so this is just one stop of many throughout the day. Much to the farmers irritation!
The Gully troop is quite large for a troop which normally average about 10 in a troop. This one has a least 30 plus.
Most days, particularly in the mornings, you can see them playing in their natural environment, swinging from vines and trees, walking along the gully floor or grooming each other on a branch.
Sadly there are many instances of monkeys being ill-treated and exploited around the island. You may see people with baby green monkeys charging a fee for a photo. Others keep them in cages near their craft stall to attract visitors.
On the surface, these activities may appear harmless. The truth is that mothers are killed for their young and as the baby monkeys grow older – and less cute – they are discarded and replaced with younger ones.
The older ones are either shot or released. Those set free will not survive. Established troops will not accept them and they will be killed.
Please refuse to support this practice. Do not take photos of the monkeys in these circumstances or give money to vendors for the care of these monkeys at any time.
It is a cruel practice which should be stopped. For more information, please contact the RSPCA at (246) 426 3077.