What did the behavioral vet suggest the bikini top represented to the macaques?

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The behavioral vet said the monkeys treated the bikini top as a toy to play with.
The behavioral vet suggested that the bikini top, likely because of its bright colours or pattern, was viewed by the Barbary macaques as something fun to interact with. In her explanation, it was not framed as sexual attraction between species, but rather as playful curiosity directed at an object the monkeys could grab and paw at.
The vet linked the bikini top to “play” rather than mating
She described the bikini top as “a fun toy to be played with,” emphasising the macaques’ tendency to interact with items they find interesting. Her wording focused on the monkeys’ behaviour toward an object rather than any claim about sexual intent.
She pointed to the bikini’s visible features
The vet added that the monkeys would likely be drawn to the bikini top’s appearance, including its “brightly coloured or patterned” look. That visual appeal was presented as the reason the top could stand out to the macaques.
She stressed the animals are essentially wild and unpredictable
Even though the Barbary macaques mingle among humans, the vet characterised them as essentially wild. She said they can be unpredictable, which fits the idea that the monkeys may treat clothing as something to explore or play with.
She contrasted human ideas of “intimate areas” with how monkeys see them
The vet also clarified that areas humans consider “intimate” are not necessarily treated the same way by monkeys. This context supported her view that the monkeys’ behaviour around the bikini top was more about interaction than sexual attraction.

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What did the behavioral vet suggest the bikini top represented to the macaques?

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