Conservation Prospects for the Lion-Tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus) in the Forests of Sirsi-Honnavara, Western Ghats, India

Abstract

The lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus) is one of the most threatened of the primates of the Western Ghats. Confirmation of its large metapopulation in a relatively unprotected area (a reserve forest) of Karnataka has marked an important step for the future of this population. The number of lion -tailed macaques estimated was 638 in 31 groups with an average group size of 20.6, excluding lone males. A review of the literature confirms that this is one of the larger known populations in the wild. This reserve forest faces a number of threats because of anthropogenic activities such as habitat fragmentation, encroachment and developmental projects. In an attempt to save and restore the northernmost habitat of the lion-tailed macaque, we proposed that the forests where they live be declared a wildlife sanctuary or conservation reserve, using them as an umbrella species for conservation. In response to this, the forest department of the Government of Karnataka notified the proposed area, with only minor modifications to the boundary, as the ‘Aghanashini Lion-tailed Macaque Conservation Reserve’. We suggest some immediate management interventions to minimize further pressure on this highly threatened habitat.