There are no native monkey species in Australia. Monkeys can only be seen in Australian zoos. While there is no direct study of why monkeys are not found in Australia, some speculate that the geography and no land bridge between Australia and other countries which monkeys can migrate from.
National Geographic describes the ‘Wallace and Weber Lines’ as imaginary boundaries dividing Asia and Australia’s biogeographical regions. These lines mark where different plants and animals reside. Learn more.
Asian monkeys such as macaques, gibbons, and langurs have no way to reach Australia: they can’t swim the open ocean and they can’t fly. With no natural land or sea route across the Wallace and Weber boundary, no wild monkey population has ever established itself in Australia.
Which Zoos in Australia Have Monkeys?
Australia boasts several zoos with diverse monkey species. These include Darling Downs Zoo, Adelaide Zoo, Hunter Valley Zoo, Taronga Zoo, and Melbourne Zoo. You’ll find dusky leaf monkeys, hamadryas baboons, common marmosets, emperor tamarins, and tufted capuchins at these locations.
- Numerous zoos house monkeys
- Species include dusky leaf monkeys, hamadryas baboon
- Major zoos: Darling Downs, Adelaide, Taronga
What Animals Are Exclusive to Australia?
Australia is home to a remarkable group of animals found nowhere else on Earth. The list includes koalas, kangaroos, wallabies, dingoes, platypuses, echidnas, and many others.
