Losing its ground: A case study of fast declining populations of a ‘least-concern’ species, the bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata)

Abstract

The populations of many species that are widespread and commensal with humans have been drastically declining during the past few decades, but little attention has been paid to their conservation. Here, we report the status of the bonnet macaque, a species that is considered ‘least-concern’ for conservation. We show that the widely ranging rhesus macaque is expanding its range into the distributional range of the bonnet macaque, a species endemic only to southern India. Bonnet macaques have very low abundance in forests of all types indicating that it is not a typically forest dwelling species. The traditionally preferred habitats of bonnet macaques have been Hindu temples/ tourist spots but our data reveal that nearly 50% population of bonnet macaques has disappeared from such previously occupied spots. Another preferred habitat of bonnet macaques has been roadsides with abundant Ficus trees adjoining croplands. We found that between 2003 and 2015, the roadsides have drastically changed where vegetation has been replaced with barren lands and urbanization. Consequently, the populations of bonnet macaques have declined by more than 65% over the past 25 years, and by more than 50% between 2003 and 2015 alone. We, therefore, conclude that this ‘least-concern’ species is actually facing serious conservation challenges. We also identify a few places such as small hillocks with natural vegetation and a few temples/tourist spots which are likely to remain stable and thus can serve as ‘bonnet macaque conservation reserves’. Since the bonnet macaque shares many traits with several other commensal and ‘low-risk’ species, it can serve as a model for the development of long-term conservation strategies for most such species.

Estimating densities and spatial distribution of a commensal primate species, the long‐tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis)

“…There is a growing concern for their survival, and some even fear that they will face the same fate as the passenger pigeon (Eudey, ; Gumert et al, ; C. van Schaik, R. Mittermeier, & I. Redmond, personal communication, August 24, 2018). Even abundant species can be driven to extinction, or decline quickly, such as the passenger pigeon ( Ectopistes migratorius )—extinct in 1914 (Schorger, ), and the bonnet macaque ( Macaca radiata )—65% decline over the past 25 years (Erinjery et al, ).…”

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in bonnet macaque and possible consequences of their unmanaged relocations

“…The bonnet macaque is confined to southern peninsular India and ranges from south of the river Tapti on the west, and the Godavari on the east, including Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh [ 6 , 26 , 27 ]. There are three major landscape units covering the distribution range of bonnet macaque include the Western Ghats, Deccan Plateau, and the Eastern Ghats.…”

A history of primatology in India (In memory of Professor Sheo Dan Singh)

“…Long-term field studies were initiated on Slender Loris (Singh et al 1999(Singh et al , 2000) and other primates (Kumara & Singh 2004) in various habitats. Population trends in Bonnet Macaques have been monitored in and around Mysuru for over 30 years showing a nearly 70% decline in the population (Erinjery et al 2017a). Bonnet Macaques showed laterality in various activities as a division of labor between the two hands (Mangalam et al 2014(Mangalam et al , 2016.…”

“…Most research studies are of two to three year durations, and hence cannot bring out the stochasticity of primate populations. A lesson is learnt from the monitoring of Bonnet Macaque populations around the city of Mysore for over 30 years now by Mewa Singh and his team which has shown a ~7 0% decline in these macaques (Erinjery et al 2017a). We need to identify populations that are representatives J TT of each species in different habitats and monitor them at least once in three years for several decades to comprehensively know the trends.…”