Monkeys and Apes: are they dangerous, where to encounter them, where can you see them?

What are baboons?

• Baboons are fairly large, social monkeys that live mainly on the ground, in steppes and savannahs.
• The six species of baboons mainly eat plants, but if they get the chance they also eat insects, meat and eggs.
• Baboons live in Africa south of the Sahara, and in Yemen.

Are baboons dangerous?

• Baboons are, in principle, not dangerous, but can be very cheeky and react unpredictably.
• Their mood can quickly change to aggressive when they are frightened or threatened
• They are quite strong, can scratch and bite viciously with their sharp canines
• Because they live in groups, they can also attack together or cause a nuisance

Where to see baboons in the wild abroad?

• Baboons can be seen in Africa, South of the Sahara and in Yemen. 

What to do if you encounter a baboon in the wild?

• Leave baboons alone when they are looking for food and you are near food. If you let them take your food, they will leave you alone.
• If there’s a baboon in your hotel room, don't go in, but get help from someone who has experience with that specific group of baboons.
• See elsewhere on the page for general rules on what to do if you encounter a monkey or if a monkey attacks you.

What to do if a baboon attacks you?

• Baboons are strong and intelligent. They can become aggressive if they feel threatened, if they protect their group, or even if they associate humans with food. 
• If a baboon tries attacks you, don’t run, don’t make direct eye contact, back away slowly and make yourself appear large. 
• When a baboon grabs you, do not resist with aggression. If it’s because of food, simply drop it and walk away. 
• To scare the baboon off you can try making loud noises, clapping or waving a stick. This can help if done early. 

What to do in case of a bite or scratch by a baboon?

• A bite by a baboon is no fun. They can be deep, painful and prone to infection. Wash the wound immediately with soap and running water for at least 5-10 minutes. Disinfect the wound, control the bleeding and find a doctor immediately for further treatment. 
• Check for the risk of rabies (how is the baboon behaving?) and monitor for general infections. 

Which diseases can humans get from a baboon?

• Baboons can transmit several diseases such as rabies (but rarely), tuberculosis, herpesvirus and hepatitis B. 
• Bites and scratches can also cause bacterial infections and baboons can carry parasites. 

Can you volunteer or intern with baboons?

• There are limited options for volunteering or internships with baboons.
• The most well-known organization is probably Primate C.A.R.E. in South Africa.

Where is the best place to work with baboons?

• There are several sanctuaries, conservation projects and research centres that work with baboons in ethical and responsible ways. You can, for example, check out C.A.R.E., Limpopo Baboon Project and SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. 

What are chimpanzees?

• Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) are great apes native to Central and West Africa. They are humans' closest living relatives, sharing about 98% of our DNA. Chimpanzees are highly intelligent, social animals known for their complex behaviors, tool use, and communication skills.
• They are omnivorous – they mainly eat fruits, leaves, seeds, insects, and occasionally meat. 

Are chimpanzees dangerous?

• Chimpanzees are not dangerous under normal conditions. However, when food is scarce or their habitat is taken away, they can carry out group attacks. 
• Chimpanzees in captivity are known to be quite unpredictable, and the strength of their claws and jaws should not be underestimated.

Where to see chimpanzees in the wild abroad?

• Chimpanzees live in Central and West Africa, in a variety of forested and savanna-like landscapes. Some of the best places to see them in the wild include Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda. 
• Chimpanzee tracking requires a permit, and many national parks have strict rules to protect the primates and their habitat.

What to do if you encounter a chimpanzee in the wild?

• Chimpanzees are strong, intelligent, and social animals, and encounters in the wild can be exciting but should be handled with caution.
• Keep Your Distance – Stay at least 7-10 meters (23-33 feet) away to avoid disturbing them.
• Stay Calm & Quiet – Avoid sudden movements or loud noises that could startle them.
• Observe Without Direct Eye Contact – Staring can be seen as a sign of aggression.
• Follow Local Guide Instructions – If you’re on a chimpanzee trek, your guide knows the best way to keep you and the chimps safe.
• Do Not Run – If a chimpanzee feels threatened, running may trigger a chase response. Instead, stay still and avoid eye contact.
• If attacked, protect your face and vital areas (chimpanzees are incredibly strong).

What to do when a chimpanzee attacks you?

• The most important thing is to protect your face and vital organs. Cover yourself with whatever you can, avoid eye contact and try to retreat slowly. 
• Do not fight back, the Chimpanzee will definitely be much stronger.. 
• Make yourself big and make loud noises to appear threatening. 

What to do in case of a bite or scratch by a chimpanzee?

• Clean immediately and thoroughly with soap and water for at least five-ten minutes and seek medical attention to check the risk of potential diseases. 

Which diseases can humans get from a chimpanzee?

• Chimps can pass on several zoonotic diseases such as HIV, Ebola and Simian Foamy Virus (SFV). 
• You can also get bacterial infections or parasites from working with Chimpanzees. 

Can you volunteer or intern with chimpanzees?

• Yes, you can volunteer or intern with chimpanzees, but opportunities are usually limited to sanctuaries, research projects, and conservation programs. Most organizations do not allow direct contact with chimpanzees due to safety concerns and the risk of disease transmission.

Where is the best place to volunteer, intern or work with chimpanzees?

• The best places to work with chimpanzees include sanctuaries, research centers, and conservation projects. Some well-known ones are the Jane Goodall Institute sanctuaries, Chimp Haven (USA), Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Sierra Leone and Lwiro Primate Rehabilitation Center in DR Congo. Kibale National Park (Uganda), Gombe Stream National Park (Tanzania) en Mahale Mountains National Park (Tanzania) are also hot spots for chimps. 
• There are several shelters in the United States that host volunteers, the chimpanzees are most of the time former pets and circus animals.

What are gorillas?

• Gorillas are the largest primates in the world. They can grow up to 1.80 m, just like humans, but manage to produce a lot more muscle mass and weigh up to 270 kg.
• Gorillas are apes, apes that are therefore closely related to humans.
• There are two types of gorillas: the Eastern gorilla and the Western gorilla.
• Gorillas mainly follow a plant-based diet of fruits and plants and here and there a few insects. So they will not be very interested in you.
• Unfortunately, gorillas, like many other animals, are an endangered species. This is mainly due to habitat loss and hunting.

Where to see gorillas in the wild abroad?

• The eastern species lives in the rainforest of Congo Kinshasa (subspecies: Eastern lowland gorilla) and the Virunga Mountains (subspecies: mountain gorilla) that spreads over parts of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda.
• The western species is found in forested parts of West Africa, such as Gabon, Congo, Cameroon and northern Angola.

Are gorillas dangerous?

• A gorilla is essentially a gentle herbivore, and they are hardly dangerous in the wild.
• You have to work really hard to get a male to actually attack you. An attack can be fatal, however.
• In captivity, you will have to treat these extremely strong apes with respect and patience.
• Gorillas make a difference in their dealings with people on an individual level. If the animal knows you as a 'good' one, the animal will respond kindly. Are you that vet who gave a painful treatment last time? Then you better watch out.

What to do if you encounter a gorilla in the wild?

• You will probably be quite impressed if you encounter a gorilla in the wild, but always try to stay calm.
• There is a good chance that you are out with a guide. Listen carefully to the do's and don'ts and always follow their advice. They often have a lot of experience and know best what to do.
• A number of general things that are good to know:
• Do not make eye contact, this can be seen as challenging.
• Make yourself small and stay at a good distance (at least 7 meters) so that you do not come across as threatening.

What to do when a gorilla attacks you?

• If you do manage to get attacked, do not run away. The gorilla will definitely run away from you and the consequences will be unimaginable.
• In the beginning you can try to make yourself small and stay calm, so that the gorilla experiences less threat. Usually the gorilla will then withdraw, because they do not feel like a fight themselves.
• This doesn’t work? Then, without turning your back on the gorilla, slowly walk backwards. Do not make any sudden movements.
• If it still does not work, you can try to drop yourself to the ground and no longer show any interest in the gorilla.
• As a last resort, when the gorilla cannot be escaped, you should try to impress. Make yourself big, show your teeth, shout and beat your chest.

What to do in case of a bite or scratch by a gorilla?

• Of course, that depends very much on the incident.
• Gorilla attacks can be quite serious because of their strength. So it does not have to remain a bite or scratch, but you can also have internal injuries.
• Follow the advice of the guide, follow a first aid protocol and seek medical help.

Which diseases can humans get from a gorilla?

• Because we are so similar as species, people can get diseases from gorillas. However, that chance is very small and it is more likely to be the other way around - gorillas get diseases from humans or domesticated animals.
• Some of the "diseases" that can be transmitted between humans and gorillas (so they can also get it from us) are parasites, ebola and respiratory diseases.

Can you volunteer or intern with gorillas?

• Volunteering or doing an internship with gorillas is definitely possible! There are several organizations in Africa that work with gorillas.
• For example, you can work as an assistant caregiver, veterinarian, communications advisor or researcher.

What should you do if you are going to work with gorillas during your volunteer work, internship or study.

• Most sanctuaries avoid human contact in order to keep the animals wild. Therefore, it is unlikely that you will have direct contact with the animals, unless they are babies or you have been specifically trained for it.
• Follow the instructions and safety training protocols.
• Avoid unnecessary actions. If you are going into the wilderness, you will probably need quite a few vaccinations.

Where is the best place to work with gorillas?

• Uganda, Rwanda, Cameroon, Nigeria and Gabon are interesting places to volunteer with gorillas.

What are primates?

• Primates are mammals with relatively large brains, good vision (but often less sense of smell than other animals), opposable thumbs (not all though) and relatively complex social structures. 
• Primates consists of strepsirrhini such as lemurs and lorises, and haplorhines such as monkeys and apes. 
• They can all climb trees, although some, such as humans, gorillas and baboons, prefer to stay on the ground. 
• They are very social animals that have interesting and complicated group structures and interactions. Primates are also the most cognitive advanced group of animals. 
• Unfortunately around 60% of primate species are threatened with extinction, mainly due to habitat destruction, forest fragmentation, primate hunting and monkey drives (when monkeys are killed in large numbers to protect crops). 

Are primates dangerous?

• Primates can definitely be dangerous. Not only can they transfer diseases, but they can also cause harm due to protectiveness/aggression/physical harm. 
• While it doesn’t happen often in normal circumstances, in touristy places and places where monkeys and humans live in close proximity, it does happen a lot. Bites by monkeys account for 2-21% of animal bite injuries according to the World Health organisation. 
• Monkey bites are especially a risk among travellers. Quite often travellers think of monkeys as cute, and want to touch them. According to a study done in the UK, people are very bad at reading monkey expressions, and often think they are the opposite of what the monkey actually tries to communicate. 
• Just make sure to keep your distance from monkeys, don’t feed them and don’t look them in the eyes. There are differences between the aggressiveness of different primate species, but this is the general advice. And if you’re going to look for primates in the wild forest, make sure to have a good guide! 
• Most common injuries are bites. 

Where to see primates in the wild abroad?

• There are many places to see primates in the world. You can find primates in Africa, South and Southeast Asia, South and Central America and even the most northern living primates in Japan, the Japanese macaques. 
• Primates generally live in forests, but you can also find them in other habitats such as savannas, wetlands, rocky areas and grasslands. 
• Orangutan: You can find Orangutans in the jungles of Borneo (Kalimatan, Sabah), on Sumatra and around the shelters. You can often see at the shelters how they are being prepared for an independent life in the wild.
• Chimpanzees: You can see chimpanzees in the wild in West and Central Africa, mainly in rainforests.
• Gorillas: You can see gorillas in the wild in the mountain forests of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Loris: The great slow loris (+/- 30/40 cm) can be seen in the wild in the jungles of Indonesia and Malaysia (Borneo).
• The small slow loris (+/ 25 cm) can be spotted in the wild in Cambodia, Laos or the south of Vietnam.
• Baboons: You can see baboons in the wild in most countries in Africa and partly in the Middle East. You can find them in the savannahs, forests, and at the table at your safari lodge. Some specimens enjoy redecorating your hotel room.
• Macaques:
  • Rhesus macaque (rhesus monkey): Rhesus monkeys are common in South Asia, especially in India, Nepal, and Thailand.
  • Berber macaques (Barbary macaque); The Barbary macaque is found in North Africa, especially in Morocco and Algeria. It is the only macaque that lives outside Asia, and the only monkey species that lives in the wild in Europe (Gibraltar).
  • Japanese macaques: The Japanese macaque can be seen in the wild in Japan in mountainous areas and at hot springs.
• Langurs: Langurs can be seen in Southeast Asia (India, Thailand and Malaysia).
• Proboscis monkeys (proboscis monkey): The proboscis monkey can be seen playing quite close in Borneo, both on the Malay part (Sabah) and on the Indonesian part (Kalimantan).
• Yellow-green vervets (green monkey): The vervet can be seen in the wild in West Africa (from Senegal and Gambia to the Volta River) and on some Caribbean islands (St. Kitts, Nevis, Barbados, St. Maarten and Tortola).
• Vervets, South African green vervets or blue monkeys: The vervets can be found everywhere on the east coast of Africa from South Africa to Ethiopia.
• Mandrills: Mandrills can be seen in the jungles and forests of West and Central Africa.

What to do if you encounter primates in the wild?

• Monkeys can be very cheeky. They are not only after food, but also take other things. Shiny items such as a phone or camera are very popular and difficult to get back. If you run the risk of having to deal with monkeys while traveling or abroad, check the basic rules below.

Pay attention

• Pay attention to your belongings and put your belongings in a bag as much as possible.
• If you are in an environment with many monkeys, adjust your clothing and appearance. Keep it simple, no glitter, watches, piercings, bracelets, etc.
• If you have long hair and want to avoid a hair pulling contest, it is better to put your hair up.
• Be careful with selfies, monkeys that see themselves on your screen can react aggressively.

Keep at a distance

• Monkeys can seem very sweet and sometimes tame, but be careful, they remain unpredictable wild animals!
• Monkeys are much, much stronger than humans and can bite dangerously.
• Monkeys regularly carry rabies; this is still very dangerous for humans.

Pay attention to your behavior

• Learning a little monkey language can help a bit
• Try to avoid smiling or showing your teeth, that is a sign of aggression for a monkey.
• Try not to shout or make a threatening movement, let alone tease.
• Do not feed, if a monkey attacks you, the presence of food is usually the reason.
• Monkeys that get used to feeding can attack if you, or someone else, refuses to feed them. Preventing this habituation is important.

Remember

• Do not do to a monkey what you would not do to another, but keep in mind that the other person does not always realize this... just like your fellow human being.

What to do if a primate attacks you?

• If a primate attacks you, the general advice is not to run. Just stay calm, move away slowly without turning your back. 
• You can also try to crouch down, to make yourself appear less threatening. 
• If you can, using an object as a barrier is very useful. You can use a backpack or a jacket for example. 
• If a monkey takes your stuff, don't fight it, the chance that it will let it go again a little later is much greater than if you fight over it.
• If you have food in your hands, throw it towards the monkey and show your empty hands.

What are the most dangerous primate species and why?

• Humans: Yes, you read that right! We are actually the most violent primate species. 
• Loris: The Slow Loris is one of the cutest, but also the most dangerous monkey in the world. It is the only monkey that is poisonous. A bite from the loris can be so powerful that it goes through your bone. If you are bitten by a loris, you can go into shock and need help very quickly.
• Gorillas: Gorillas are the enlightened despots of the monkey world. They are normally very calm, as long as you behave the way they want you to. If they get the feeling that you are doing something they don't like, they can feel attacked. They can become very aggressive and dangerous and can easily kill a human with their strength.
• Mandrills: Mandrills not only look dangerous, but with sharp front teeth and strong jaws they are also really dangerous. They often display aggressive behavior when they feel threatened and suffer from territorial instincts.
• Baboons: Baboons are the football fans among the monkeys. They are known for their aggressive behavior, attacking in large groups and being destructive when it comes to your belongings,
• Rhesus macaques (Rhesus monkey): Rhesus monkeys are notorious for their unwanted behavior with people and transmitting diseases (including the herpes B virus). They can become aggressive, especially when they go hunting for food or feel threatened. Rhesus macaques express their aggression by biting, scratching or pulling bags or hair.
• Barbary macaques (Barbary macaque): Barbary monkeys are known for their biting behavior and limited fear of people. They can transmit the herpes B virus, cause infections and carry rabies.
• Japanese macaques: The Japanese macaque is an excited creature that often makes the news with an attack on a visitor to one of the many beautiful Japanese gardens or attractions. Many of these attacks result in quite serious injuries to the visitors.
• Chimpanzees: Chimpanzees are extremely strong and can become very aggressive if they feel threatened.
• Orangutans: Male orangutans can become dangerous if they come into conflict with humans. The tricky part is that you don't always realize that you are in conflict with them. They are just like people. The orangutan is only a lot stronger and more powerful than the average person. If you go on a trip through the jungle in search of orangutans, then nothing will probably happen. But if your guide decides to run away... run after them hard.
• Capuchin monkeys: Capuchin monkeys look innocent but can be very destructive and territorial. They are quite intelligent and do not only bite and scratch you. There are several known cases where they try to eliminate their opponent by inflicting serious injuries.
• Langurs: Langurs can react aggressively if they are protecting their territory, want food or feel threatened.

What diseases can you get from primates?

• Since primates are genetically very close to humans, it’s easier to pass diseases. Some of the pathogens that can be transferred are viruses, fungi, bacteria and parasites and this can happen through biting, scratching, handling animals but also through airborne transmission. Transmission of zoonotic diseases is rare, but it can happen and especially people working with animals are at risk. Some of the more well know diseases are: 
• Herpes B virus: B virus is a type of herpes that macaque species can carry and transfer to humans through bites, scratches or contamination of a wound. Without proper treatment, infection with the herpes B virus has a mortality rate of about 80% in humans.
• Ebola: this disease is carried by gorillas, chimps and other great apes and can be transferred to humans through contact with primates’ blood, secretions or contaminated objects. The virus can cause a high fever, hemorrhaging and organ failure. 
• Tuberculosis: this respiratory disease is carried by many primate species (including humans) and can be transferred from non-human primate to human and vice versa. It happens through breathing in respiratory droplets. The symptoms are a chronic cough, weight loss and fatigue. 
• Wound infections: bites can seriously get infected. A wound should be properly cleaned with soap and water and assessed by a health authority to see if you need further treatment. 
• Rabies: primates can carry and transmit rabies, but it’s quite rare compared to other mammals such as dogs, raccoons and bats. Wild primates rarely carry the disease, but they can get infected by other animals. Rabies can be transferred through a bite, scratch or mucosal contact and is almost always fatal once the symptoms appear. To avoid this, make sure you’re vaccinated before working with primates, and take the necessary steps (wash the wound, apply antiseptic, seek medical attention immediately and get your vaccines) ASAP. 
• Leptospirosis: Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. It is spread through the urine of infected animals and occurs worldwide, but mostly in tropical and subtropical regions. The disease comes with many different symptoms, so it’s quite difficult to diagnose and is often misdiagnosed. 
• Rare diseases such as the Marburg and Ebola viruses are only found in a limited number of countries in Central and West Africa.

Can you work, volunteer or intern with primates?

• There are many possibilities to volunteer or intern with wild primates. There are several research programs throughout the world for which biology/veterinary students can usually apply. They are often internships of several months/a year since you might have to get to know and recognise the wild group of primates. 
• There are also many volunteer programs throughout the regions in which primates live. Activities range from rescue and rehabilitation to following monkeys in the wild for research purposes.
• Read more about working with monkeys and primates abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?