Green Monkey, Macaco (Chlorocebus sabaeus)

Primate with a head and body length of 38-60 cm and a tail of 42.72 cm. Distinguished by its greenish-brown back (hence the common name) and long tail with a pale orangey-coloured tip, long legs and dark face with reddish eyes. Very similar to Chlorocebus aethiops, of which it was considered a subspecies until relatively recently. Its natural distribution area encompasses West Africa (Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Mali south, etc.,), although it has been introduced to several islands in the Caribbean and Cape Verde. Moreover, it is the only monkey established in the wild in the whole of Macaronesia. The first specimen known to science was captured on the island of Santiago in the 18th century. In all likelihood, the first green monkeys in Cape Verde (apparently already present in the 16th century) were brought from Guinea-Bissau, which had strong maritime connections with Cape Verde at the time. However, Senegal cannot be ruled out as a possible point of origin. In the past, the green monkey lived on the islands of Santiago and Brava. Though no longer present on the latter, it still occupies several areas of central-north Santiago and can be locally common. However, there has been a recent sighting in inland mountainous areas of Brava. Specimens are kept as pets on the other islands, but there is no evidence of populations existing in the wild. Occasionally individuals have been brought to the Canaries (Gran Canaria in particular), but none has escaped into the wild; very little is known about the biology of the green monkey in Cape Verde. It feeds on leaves and branches (e.g., Prosopis juliflora), fruits and some insects, including cockroaches (Periplaneta sp.). In Tarrafal (Santiago), a large group of individuals (adults and young) pay frequent visits to seaside tourist resorts, where they are fed by visitors. Traditionally, this monkey was hunted, which most likely led to population decline, but its tendency to take refuge in remote mountain areas has undoubtedly contributed to its survival. Green monkeys are considered a pest where crops are concerned and they represent a threat to native biodiversity. An in-depth study of their biology is highly recommended and a control plan introduced, where appropriate.