Endangered Barbary macaques dressed in football shirts, including England's Jude Bellingham kit, are being exploited for tourist photos in Marrakesh, according to campaigners. The monkeys are dragged by chains around their necks in Jemaa el-Fna market square, a popular tourist destination.
Handlers dress the monkeys in shirts of stars like Bellingham, Brazil's Vinícius Júnior, and Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski to lure British tourists into paying for selfies. When not performing, the monkeys are forced into small crates, also wearing nappies and sunglasses.
Natasha Doyle, a veterinary nurse from south west London, reported the exploitation to charity Born Free after a holiday in November. She said: 'What I witnessed ruined my holiday... Every time I saw a monkey it was pulling at its collar showing their constant distress.' She added she would not return to Morocco unless the practice stops.
Barbary macaques are classified as Endangered in the wild, with increased protection under CITES since 2016. Despite this, they are used daily in the square alongside snake charmers and caged birds. There have been reports of tourists being injured by stressed macaques, including a recent bite victim requiring hospital treatment.
Born Free's Sarah Jefferson said: 'With the 2030 FIFA World Cup approaching, and Morocco being a co-host, Marrakesh is likely to see a boost in tourist numbers... Born Free continues to highlight that tourist perceptions of poor animal welfare is likely to contribute to a negative image of Morocco.' The charity is calling for an end to the exploitation. FIFA and the Mayor of Marrakesh did not respond to requests for comment.
