La Montagne des Singes

A zoo to protect a special species.

Älgbert Elgson

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More than 200 Barbary apes (Macaca sylvanus) live in the 24 hectare monkey mountain „La Montagne des Singes“. The idea came from Gilbert de Turckheim and Jacques Renaud, who had visited an accessible colony of Barbary apes in Algeria and then implemented the concept of such a park in 1969 with the opening in Alsace and the import of 150 animals from Morocco.

The concept of this park enables visitors to have a close experience with the Barbary apes. On entering the fenced-in open-air area, each visitor receives a handful of popcorn, which the monkeys love to eat and therefore attract them. Please note the rules for handling the animals, which are explained when buying a ticket, such as a safe distance to be maintained or the exclusive use of the circular path. This is about 800 metres long and only leads through the central area of the enclosure. This allows the monkeys to retreat into the forest.

In the park there are also some watering places and climbing facilities for the monkeys and staff are available to answer questions. In the park, 230 kg of fruit, vegetables and cereals are distributed daily and lectures on the behaviour, lifestyle and origin of the monkeys are held at two feeding places at times indicated there. Visitors can also find information about the Barbary apes on signs in German, English and French. The opening hours and prices can be found on the homepage of the park.

The Barbary ape is a highly endangered animal and there are probably only about 8.000 of this species left in North Africa. In the monkey park „La Montagne des Singes“ visitors should be informed about this threat. The behaviour of this animal species is being researched in the park and used for the protection of the Barbary apes. Today, there are already two parks with Barbary apes in France, one in Germany and one in England, of which a total of almost 600 animals have been released and successfully released into the wild in North Africa.

How to get there?

Der Affenberg ist etwa fünf Kilometer von der Autobahn entfernt und in The monkey mountain is about five kilometres away from the motorway and near the Hohkönigsburg. The road leads through a wooded area and there are enough free parking spaces in front of the park. If you are travelling by public transport, you should check out the shuttle service that leaves from Sélestat station and runs between the Ape Mountain, Hohkönigsburg and the Bird of Prey Observatory.

Conclusion:
The monkey mountain „La Montagne des Singes“ is not only for the pleasure of visitors, but also to protect this species of monkey. It’s a great thing that the park is fighting against extinction in North Africa and the animals are being released there. For this reason, visitors should observe the rules of dealing with the monkeys and always pay attention to personal belongings – the Barbary apes kidnap very quickly and skillfully brought unsecured objects and could also injure themselves.

We were here: 2019