The views from the top of the Rock truly are staggering – as speaks a man who has seen many a fabulous view on his travels around the world. As already mentioned (and I don’t care if sound repetitive and boring with this one) on a 360 degree turn viewers can enjoy the most awesome images not only of Gibraltar but also of both Spain and Africa too. 

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Being on the terrace at the top reminded me of being at the top of the Med Steps in that it wasn’t somewhere I wanted to leave anytime soon (on account of me loving it, loving it, loving it) but as Carol, Sheila and Joe moved onwards towards the apes I duly followed on.

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Stepping out into the apes domain was a wonderful blast from the past, everywhere I looked there were monkeys in the frame either feeding their faces, playing with their friends or being mischievous with the visitors. It took me back to the first time we took the children to see the apes only this time it was me feeling like a big kid full of excitement instead of them. To see these beautiful little animals living happy and free in their own habitat is very rewarding and to share that experience for a short time is an absolute privilege. But however placid and playful these little macaques appear they are (at the end of the day) wild animals and can attack. And one did.

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For a time I was leaning on a wall looking down at an area about ten foot below where half a dozen young apes were feeding on fruit; periodically I’d look up to watch the parent apes as they sat high above on a rooftop enjoying the views in the lunchtime sun. Sheila and Joe were nearby strolling up a slope to get a closer look at an ape that was sitting, posing on a wall while Carol (camera at the ready) was walking down a slope to try for close up pictures of some of the other individuals. 

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What we didn’t know (at this point) was that the very first baby ape of the year had been born that morning and so the troop were naturally nervous. What we were also unaware of was that two of the senior males had had a serious fight shortly before we arrived, one of whom had apparently needed medical attention which also added to the tension and increased the anxiety of the other troop members. 

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Looking down the slope I saw Carol about twenty feet away focusing her camera on an ape a few feet away from her; several other apes were nearby which made me feel very uncomfortable so I began making my way slowly toward her but I was never going to get to her in time. In a split second a young female (we later found out was on heat) had jumped on Carol and bit her on the arm; seconds later it jumped on her for a second time digging its nails into her other arm…..