Gibraltar Barbary Macaques Suffer Digestive Problems from Tourist Food

Barbary macaques in Gibraltar are suffering digestive problems after being fed by tourists and are reportedly eating soil as a form of treatment, according to research highlighting the strain tourism can place on wildlife diets. The findings underscore how human contact is altering the feeding habits of the island’s macaque groups. Researchers found that tourists continue to give the monkeys unhealthy foods such as ice cream, candy and chips. Observations showed that macaques that frequently interact with people were more likely to develop digestive disorders. By contrast, groups living in more remote areas did not display the same behavior. The study said those monkeys were not exposed to the same human food sources and therefore avoided the related health problems. Researchers said the natural elements and microorganisms found in soil could help rebalance the macaques’ digestive systems. The study drew attention to the negative impact of tourism on the feeding habits of wild animals.