Barbados Green Monkey
Barbados, Environment, Things to Do

Monkey See… Monkey Do’s & Don’ts

Our ‘Green Monkeys’ of Barbados were brought on ships as gifts during the slave trade over 250 years ago from West Africa. These curious and social creatures have a unique golden- green fur and friendly face. Freely living on the island, you are bound to see one when you least expect it!

Barbados Green Monkey

Photo by Instagram User: kelly_e_greaves

The Barbados Green Monkeys travel throughout the island daily. They use the gully system and other lush routes to get around Barbados and blend in with the greenery around them. Here are some do’s and don’ts to follow when you see a Green Monkey in Barbados.

 

DO NOT

  • Do not support persons exploiting monkeys as pets to make money from visitors to the island. More often baby monkeys are taken from their mother to become a pet but when the animal becomes a young adult they can become very aggressive. The ‘owners’ then try to release them back to the wild because it is too difficult for them to manage. Monkeys that have been domesticated cannot reintegrate with wild troops resulting in death.

Monkey in Barbados

  • Monkeys are wild animals and are easily provoked. Do not attempt touching or chasing them, they will BITE.
  • Do not encourage the monkeys with shiny objects like keys or sunglasses. They are curious and will steal them.

Barbados Monkey

Photo by Instagram User: olivepug

  • Do not attempt a staring competition with a monkey, this makes them feel threatened and can cause them to scratch or bite you.
  • Do not feed monkeys: As kind as that is, it encourages the monkeys to come back and associate people with food. It puts people at risk who are not aware of the connection.

 

DO

  • Experience these animals in their natural habitat. Spot Barbados Green Monkeys in green areas around the island like golf courses, gullies, along with country roads and even in trees in the more populated areas.

Monkey Wildlife

Photo by Instagram User: chrisgilmourphoto

  • Visit these beautiful animals at the Barbados Wildlife Reserve and Grenade Hall Signal Station and Forest.  Open daily between 10 am to 5 pm, the last admission at 4pm. Feeding time at Grenade Hall Forest is at 11 am and at The Barbados Wildlife Reserve at 2 pm. Visitors are NOT allowed, to feed the animals but the trained staff will. You are welcome to take photos of the monkeys and all the other animals showcased while they roam freely in their natural habitat.

Photo of Monkey

Photo by Instagram User: tribetomark

  • Feel free to take many photos of monkeys on the island but remember to keep a safe distance.
  • Observe monkeys from a distance, respect them and they will respect you.
  • Contact animal control or the R.S.P.C.A. if an animal (including a monkey) is being mistreated.

Baby Monkey

Photo by Instagram User: cariscape