Bonnet Macaques: Species in news

Bonnet Macaques: Species in news

Learn about Bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata) – their habitat, behaviour, IUCN status, threats, and recent deaths in Kerala that highlight conservation challenges.

Introduction

The discovery of nine Bonnet macaques dead in Palode, Kerala has once again placed this species under the spotlight. The suspicious circumstances surrounding their deaths have triggered a probe by the forest department, but the incident raises larger questions about the state of wildlife conservation in India. Bonnet macaques are not only a significant primate species endemic to southern India, but they are also important ecological actors, adapting to both forests and urban spaces. Understanding their biology, distribution, and the challenges they face is crucial in the wider context of biodiversity conservation.

Scientific Classification and Conservation Status

• Scientific Name: Macaca radiata

• IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable – reflecting declining population trends due to shrinking habitats and increasing conflict with humans.

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Listed in Schedule I, which provides them the highest level of protection in India.

• CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora): Included under Appendix II, restricting their international trade.

This dual recognition at both national and international levels shows that despite their adaptability, bonnet macaques are facing growing threats that demand attention.

Distinctive Features

The bonnet macaque derives its name from its most striking feature – a mop of hair parted in the middle, resembling a bonnet. Other distinguishing features include:

• Fur Colour: Grey-brown, blending with the dry deciduous forests they often inhabit.

• Face: Wrinkled, with large ears giving them a characteristic expression.

• Subspecies:

  • Dark-bellied Bonnet macaque

  • Pale-bellied Bonnet macaque

These physical traits, combined with their behavioural intelligence, make them an easily recognisable primate in southern India.

Distribution and Habitat

Bonnet macaques are endemic to southern India, which means they are not naturally found anywhere else in the world. Their distribution spans:

• Andhra Pradesh

• Goa

• Karnataka

• Kerala

• Maharashtra

• Tamil Nadu

• Gujarat (northernmost extent)

Habitats

They are highly versatile in habitat choice, being both arboreal (tree-dwelling) and terrestrial (ground-dwelling). They live in:

• Dry deciduous and moist forests

• Plantations

• Agricultural fields

• Urban areas and temple complexes

Their home range is typically around 50 hectares, but their adaptability often brings them close to human settlements, leading to both co-existence and conflict.

Behaviour and Communication

Bonnet macaques are highly social primates, living in troops that range from a few individuals to several dozen. Their behaviour is shaped by complex hierarchies and cooperation.

• Communication: They use facial expressions, gestures, and vocal calls to convey information.

• Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on fruits, seeds, insects, and human leftovers in urban areas.

• Intelligence: Known for their problem-solving abilities, they can adapt to human-dominated landscapes and exploit food resources.

Their social adaptability, while remarkable, has also created tensions with human populations in rapidly urbanising regions.

Threats Facing Bonnet Macaques

Despite their adaptability, bonnet macaques are classified as Vulnerable because of multiple overlapping threats:

1. Habitat Loss

   • Deforestation and agricultural expansion have reduced natural habitats.

   • Urbanisation forces macaques into human spaces, creating competition for food and shelter.

2. Human–Wildlife Conflict

   • In agricultural zones, they are often seen as crop raiders.

   • In towns and cities, they are perceived as a nuisance due to food-snatching and aggressive encounters.

3. Declining Numbers

   • Once widespread and common, their populations are steadily declining, as shown in surveys across southern India.

4. Poisoning and Retaliatory Killings

   • The recent Palode deaths highlight deliberate or accidental human-driven causes, ranging from poisoning to retaliatory attacks.

5. Pet Trade and Exploitation

   • Despite legal protections, illicit trade and use in entertainment persist in some regions.

Ecological and Cultural Significance

Bonnet macaques play a critical role in ecosystems:

• Seed Dispersal: By feeding on fruits, they disperse seeds across forests, aiding regeneration.

• Indicator Species: Their presence and health signal the ecological balance of their habitats.

• Cultural Role: In temple complexes and rural beliefs, they are often associated with local traditions, sometimes tolerated as part of the cultural landscape.

However, this cultural acceptance is increasingly strained by rising conflict.

The Palode Incident and Its Significance

The death of nine bonnet macaques in Palode, Kerala, is more than just a case of suspected poisoning. It reflects the broader tensions between expanding human activity and shrinking wildlife spaces. The forest department’s investigation will determine the cause, but such incidents highlight:

• Weak Enforcement: Despite being a Schedule I species, bonnet macaques remain vulnerable to persecution.

• Rising Intolerance: Villagers and urban residents increasingly view them as pests.

• Policy Gaps: Conservation schemes often focus on larger mammals (tigers, elephants), sidelining primates that are equally at risk.

This incident should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and conservationists to address less charismatic but ecologically vital species.

Conservation Measures

To protect bonnet macaques, a multi-pronged approach is required:

1. Strengthen Legal Protection

   • Enforce the Wildlife Protection Act more rigorously.

   • Crack down on poisoning and illegal capture.

2. Habitat Restoration

   • Protect and restore forest corridors to reduce human contact.

   • Promote agroforestry models that support coexistence.

3. Awareness and Coexistence Programmes

   • Educate communities on the ecological role of macaques.

   • Promote waste management in urban areas to reduce attraction.

4. Research and Monitoring

   • Conduct population studies to track trends.

   • Invest in behavioural research to better manage human–primate conflict.

Conclusion

The bonnet macaque, with its distinctive hair and expressive face, is an icon of southern India’s wildlife. Yet, its decline from “common sight” to “vulnerable species” is a stark reminder of how quickly human–nature relationships can deteriorate. The Palode incident, where nine monkeys were found dead, is not an isolated tragedy—it is symbolic of a larger crisis in wildlife conservation.

Protecting bonnet macaques is not just about saving a species; it is about recognising their ecological role, respecting their place in cultural landscapes, and learning to coexist. For India’s conservation strategy to be truly inclusive, species like the bonnet macaque must receive the same attention as larger, charismatic animals.

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The Source’s Authority and Ownership of the Article is Claimed By THE STUDY IAS BY MANIKANT SINGH