Investigation: Jemaa el-Fna Square 2025

Since our previous visit in 2019, captive Barbary macaques and other animals have continued to be used as props for tourist photographs.

During Ian Redmond’s visit, amongst the busy hustle and bustle in the market, there appeared to be at least eight different macaques observed with chains around their necks and were being dragged from tourist to tourist. While some people refused to have their photos taken holding these monkeys, several did, including families with young children, and handed over money to the handlers in return.

Most macaques seen were dressed up in clothes or nappies, with several wearing football shirts displaying named players, including Kylian Mbappé and Sadio Mané.

There were several green, wooden crates that are believed to be used to transport the macaques to and from the market. A macaque was observed inside one of the crates and was interacting with a chained macaque outside, trying to make contact through the wire mesh window.

A couple of chained macaques, one dressed in a football shirt and the other in a dress, were observed being used in the same area at 8.30pm. However, it was not clear if these were different animals than those being used during the day.

Other captive animals were seen in the square, such as several snakes, including cobras and vipers, positioned on the ground, while ‘charmers’ played loud pipes and drums. Some cobras were seen being dragged by their tails. A small snake was placed around a woman’s neck, so that she could have her photo taken.

Photographic evidence obtained during the 2025 visit can be viewed in the photo gallery below.

READ THE 2019 REPORT

ACTION:

Born Free continues to call on the Moroccan and Marrakesh authorities to bring this blatant animal exploitation to an end. 

You can help by writing a letter to the Mayor of Marrakesh.

FIND OUT MORE AND WRITE YOUR LETTER

FURTHER INFORMATION:

ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS    WILDLIFE TRADE    CAPTIVE ANIMALS