Endangered monkeys, including one wearing an England football shirt attributed to Jude Bellingham, are being exploited for tourist photo opportunities, according to activists. The Barbary Macaques, native to the Atlas Mountains in Morocco and Algeria, are seen in a highly frequented square, being led by chains around their necks.
Following the announcement that Morocco will co-host the 2030 World Cup with Portugal and Spain, these monkeys are now appearing at Jemaa el-Fna market square in Marrakesh’s Medina quarter dressed in various football shirts, such as England’s Jude Bellingham, VinÃcius Júnior of Brazil, and Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona. Their handlers, in an attempt to attract British tourists, dress them up and encourage people to take photos with them in exchange for money. Moreover, when not in use, the monkeys, forced to wear nappies and sunglasses, are crammed into small crates.
Numerous British tourists have expressed concerns about the distressing exploitation they witnessed, including Natasha Doyle from south west London, who reported the distressing situation to the Born Free organization after her trip to Marrakech. Natasha, a registered veterinary nurse, was deeply troubled by the sight of monkeys in distress, highlighting the use of chains and small crates as particularly distressing.
Barbary macaques are classified as ‘Endangered’ in the wild and are granted greater protection due to the threat of extinction. Despite this, they are still being exploited in the historic square daily, alongside other animals like snakes, birds, and hedgehogs, causing dangers to tourists. Reports of injuries inflicted by stressed macaques on tourists have surfaced, with one woman recently bitten and hospitalized for treatment and vaccination against potential infectious diseases.
Born Free’s Captivity Campaigns Information Coordinator, Sarah Jefferson, emphasized the negative impact of exploiting Barbary macaques on Morocco’s image, especially as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Born Free continues to engage with Moroccan tourism authorities and the Mayor of Marrakesh to address animal welfare issues and end the exploitation of animals for tourism.
As the anticipation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup grows, Born Free is calling for an end to the use of Barbary macaques dressed in football shirts for tourist photos. However, FIFA and the Mayor of Marrakesh have not responded to requests for comments on the matter.
Travelers concerned about the treatment of wild animals during holidays can raise awareness through Born Free’s ‘Raise the Red Flag’ program.
