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Hazardous Ape


Hazardous Ape
Photo Information
Copyright: Daniel Kohanski (Wandering_Dan) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 711 W: 101 N: 800] (2952)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-04-19
Categories: Daily Life, Nature
Camera: Nikon D70, 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S DX Nikkor
Exposure: f/16, 1/500 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-05-07 6:42
Viewed: 342
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Despite the innocent look on this one's face, the Barbary apes that inhabit the Rock of Gibraltar are often a nuisance, pestering the tourists for food as they get off the cable car at the top of the rock. Now it seems the population has gotten large enough (around 230) to become an actual hazard, because they have taken to roaming around the town looking for food. So the government is talking about culling them, which has raised an outcry among animal rights groups - see this article, for example. It even made the local papers here, which led me to dig up and post this picture.

As always when man and nature come into conflict like this, we do not seem to handle it well. The apes are a nuisance because they look so cute and so human-like that tourists cannot help feeding them - even though there are warning signs everywhere threatening fines for doing so. It goes back even further; British sailors brought the apes to Gibraltar, and during WWII, when their population dropped, Winston Churchill even ordered North African diplomats to capture some more apes and ship them here. So, as so often happens, this is a hazard of our own creation.

The government has not, as of last report, actually committed to culling the apes; they have, however, been trying a birth-control program, but it is taking time. You would think they might try shipping some of them back to North Africa instead of shooting them.
zmey, avene, dareco, feather, batalay has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Daniel,
a good story...yes, many many threads are man-made, but I think this one is easier to control as others...
I like the pic, you got very close..nearly a portrait.
Cheers chris

  • Great 
  • zmey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1113 W: 72 N: 1077] (4201)
  • [2008-05-07 7:44]

hello daniel

an interesting essay well complemented by your photo. definitely a very trek-earthy post right in the original spirit of this site. i have never been go gibraltar and would have never imagined there were human introduced apes roaming around there... thanks for sharing.

with warm regards,
kristaps

  • Great 
  • avene Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1078 W: 68 N: 1339] (5038)
  • [2008-05-07 7:58]

hi Dan,
I like a lot how you have composed the photo, the city in the background creates a good context, especially together with your note. the ape iself looks ready for close-ups :) I like a lot how silky its coat looks, and the demanding expression is priceless :) excellent observation, I like this photo a lot.

with best regards,
Kristine

This is great!!! A fantastic pose and I like the scenery in the background as well. Very nicely framed. Also, a very interesting and informative note. TFS

You raise an issue that will play and play in similar matters. I must say she does look very demure in this shot. The detail in her coat has been captured well; it almost looks silky and in excellent condition especially as she is living on scraps. Well done
Kath

Hello Dan,

I remember seeing a similar site while visiting the Rock of Gibraltar in 1975, and again in 1985 (I haven't been back since). It's a good shot, with high resolution and very good colors. Your note is very interesting; I had no idea previously of how the Barbary apes arrive at the site.

Warm regards,

Bulent

Hello my friend
We ve been lost for a while but here Iam...
Nice photo and i like a lot the way you presented the scene,
the city background with an excellent observation..
Good shot my friend,well composed nice idea and very clever
Thanks for sharing
Costantino

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