Abstract
Rhesus Macaques are widely distributed and ecologically diverse primate species that attract special focus from the research and conservation approaches. We studied population, activity budget, and societal perceptions of Rhesus Macaque at Old Dhaka City, Bangladesh from March 2015 to February 2016. Total count was used to determine the group size and composition. Daily activity budgets of Rhesus Macaques were studied using scan sampling method. Questionnaire survey was conducted to know the attitudes of local people towards monkey conservation in the area. Seven groups with a total of 169 individuals were recorded. The population density was 15.5 individuals/ km² and group size ranged from 8 to 63 individuals. Rhesus Macaque spent most of their time in resting (38.5%) followed by feeding (25.7%), moving (18.4%), grooming (12.8%), and playing or object manipulation (4.6%). There was a significant variation in each behavioral activity among the age-sex classes. Questionnaire survey revealed that property damage was the main problem created by the monkeys. A significant majority of people (83.4%) held a positive outlook toward conservation of this species. Variables such as religion, education, and occupation of the respondents significantly influenced their opinion about conservation. These findings have implications for not only conservation and management interventions of Rhesus Macaque but also helpful for minimizing human-monkey interactions in urban areas.
Highlights
Rhesus Macaques Macaca mulatta are one of the world’s most widespread, abundant, and ecologically adaptive primate species
This species is categorized as Vulnerable (IUCN Bangladesh 2015) and a total of 251 individuals in seven groups were reported in urban areas of Dhaka city (Hasan et al 2013)
The aims of this study were to: (i) assess the population of urban Rhesus Macaque in Old Dhaka City, (ii) evaluate how they budget their time in different activities, and (iii) explore the attitudes of local people toward the conservation of macaques
Summary
Rhesus Macaques Macaca mulatta are one of the world’s most widespread, abundant, and ecologically adaptive primate species. Populations of macaques inhabit human dominated landscapes in urban settings, roads, canal banks, villages, temples, and shrines (Southwick & Siddiqi 1994; Maestripieri & Hoffman 2012; Hasan et al 2013; Jaman & Huffman 2013). Rhesus Macaques are considered as non-seasonal breeders and are often termed as ‘weed species’ in response to their capability of living in densely populated urban habitats (Teas et al 1980; Richard et al 1989; Southwick et al 2005). This species is categorized as Vulnerable (IUCN Bangladesh 2015) and a total of 251 individuals in seven groups were reported in urban areas of Dhaka city (Hasan et al 2013). Assessing the population status in urban landscape is necessary to understand the ecological needs of Rhesus Macaque and developing effective conservation strategies (Malaivijitnond et al 2005; Lwanga et al 2011)
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