Macaca Silenus Research Articles

Twinning in wild, endangered lion-tailed macaques Macaca silenus in the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats, India.

Many primate species show various behavioural and ecological adaptations to provisioning, one of which is the unusual occurrence of twins. Here, we report observations on two pairs of surviving twins in lion-tailed macaques Macaca silenus in the Anamalai Hills of the Western Ghats, India. The Puthuthottam population of lion-tailed macaques has historically been restricted to a rainforest fragment measuring 92ha, situated adjacent to human settlements. Over the last 10years, however, several groups from this population have begun to directly interact with the local human communities, visiting settlements at a rate of 0.52 events/day and exploiting various anthropogenic food resources. We followed and opportunistically collected behavioural ad libitum data on two sets of twins for a year, between March 2019 and March 2020. Both of the mothers were primarily terrestrial, although the mother with the younger set of twins also used the tree canopy and other precarious substrates, such as cables. Although two previous cases of twinning have been reported in this population, one in the late 1990s and one between 2000 and 2002, neither of those sets of twins survived beyond a few weeks, with at least one infant in each pair dying of unknown causes. We discuss, but discount, the possibility that one of the infants in either set of twins was an adoptee. Our observations indicate that some lion-tailed macaque twins can survive under free-ranging conditions if they receive adequate care from their biological mother or another female. Our findings also provide further evidence of increased rates of twinning as a consequence of dietary changes in synanthropic non-human primate populations.

A Review on Conservation and Population Status of Lion Tailed Macaque

The lion-tailed macaque is a critically endangered species. They are only found in the Western Ghats. Threats to these endangered species over time have included encroachments, road deaths, poaching, and climate change. The survival of this one-of-a-kind species is directly related to environmental degradation and destruction. An astonishing fact checks revealed by IUCN states that there are about 2400-2500 Lion Tailed Macaque in the world. According to recent reports in the daily "THE HINDU," Valparai in Tamil Nadu may be the last remaining home for Lion Tailed Macaques. Appropriate conservation techniques, demographic research, and educational campaigns on these species could aid in their survival. The review study was carried out to find out the conservation gap and population assessment of the species over the years. In order for the species to survive the natural habitats should be proposed as the conservation site.

Frugivory, predation, and seed dispersal in Elaeocarpus munronii (Wight) Mast. (Elaeocarpaceae) -a near threatened species of the Western Ghats, India

Frugivory and seed dispersal of Elaeocarpus munronii (Wight) Mast. were studied in the shola forest of Eravikulam National Park. The entire day was divided into four-time intervals: morning (07.00–10.00), midday (10.00–01.00), afternoon (01.00–04.00), and evening (04.00–07.00) for data collection. Eleven bird and animal species from 10 families feed on the ripened fruits of this endemic tree. The frugivores are Nilgiri wood pigeon (Columba elphinstonii), large-billed crow (Corvus macororhynchos), small green barbet (Megalaima viridis), red vented bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer), Indian cuckoo (Cuculus micropterus), Nilgiri langur (Semnopithecus johni), lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus), brown palm civet (Paradoxurus jerdonii), Indian giant squirrel (Ratufa indica), grizzled Indian giant squirrel (Ratufa macroura), and Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica). Lion-tailed macaques, Indian crested porcupines, Indian giant squirrels, and grizzled Indian giant squirrels were the seed predators. Diurnal animals had the most visits during midday (10.00 am-1.00 pm), while nocturnal animals had the most visits during late evening (7.00 pm-10.00 pm). Nilgiri langurs had the highest predation intensity (92.93%), and brown palm civets left the most intact seeds (76.34%). Frugivore visits were evenly distributed across various individual trees, highlighting the importance of E. munronii trees as a food source for many species.

A comprehensive investigation of negative visitor behaviour in the zoo setting and captive animals' behavioural response

Negative visitor behaviour in zoos such as banging, shouting and feeding animals are unwanted, but under-studied, visitor actions. It is not known how prevalent negative behaviour is, which species or enclosure type receives the most negative behaviour or how these behaviours affect zoo-housed animals. In this study, a comprehensive assessment of negative visitor behaviour, using an innovative methodology, was conducted at 25 different enclosures at Fota Wildlife Park, Ireland. Additionally, animal activity level and out of sight behaviour was observed. Descriptive statistics and general linear models were used to investigate which variables affected behaviour. Banging was the most common negative behaviour, while Humboldt penguins, lion-tailed macaques and Sumatran tigers were the most harassed species. Negative actions increased as visitor number increased and at traditional-style viewing areas. Active animal behaviour and out of sight animals were effected as negative visitor behaviours increased, but there appeared to be a tolerance threshold before a behavioural response was observed. By understanding negative behaviours, zoos can strive to reduce them and promote positive animal welfare.

Pulmonary Anthracosis in A Lion Tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus), An Endangered Primate Species - A Case Report

Anthracosis is the blackish pigmentation of the lung parenchyma and tracheobronchial tree. A female Lion Tailed Macaque aged 19 years was being kept captive in Thiruvananthapuram Zoo for 17 years. On 30th November 2019, the animal was found dead in the zoo and was subjected to a necropsy at the zoo hospital. The necropsy revealed diffused black deposits throughout the lungs on gross examination. On histopathological analysis, blackish deposits could be found throughout the lung parenchyma as free particles in addition to those observed in macrophages. Vehicular emissions seem to have caused the condition to develop. This is the first reported case of anthracosis in a Lion Tailed Macaque. The condition can adversely affect the health and life expectancy of Lion Tailed Macaques. The conservation status of Lion Tailed Macaques makes it important to prevent such pathologies from affecting the relatively smaller population of the species.

Prevalence of endoparasitic infection in captive macaques in Kerala zoos

The study was conducted in three macaque species namely Lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus), Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) and Bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata) in the zoos of Kerala. Faecal samples were collected from individual macaques kept in open enclosures and retiring cages. The samples were examined by sedimentation method for assessing the endoparasitic infection and its prevalence percentage in captive macaques. The degree of infection was assessed by faecal egg counts of samples by McMaster technique. The study found zero prevalence of strongyles in Lion-tailed macaques; 20 per cent in Rhesus macaque and 100 per cent in Bonnet macaques. The eggs per gram of strongyles in Rhesus macaques were 100 ± 39.22 and in Bonnet macaques were 312 ± 47.94. The prevalence of coccidia was 16.6 per cent in Lion-tailed macaques; 40 per cent in Rhesus macaque and 100 per cent in Bonnet macaques. The oocysts per gram of coccidia in Lion-tailed macaques were 166 ± 98.88; in Rhesus macaques were 200 ± 89.44 and in Bonnet macaques were 1850 ± 53.54. The present study revealed the higher prevalence and degree of infection of coccidia and strongyles in Bonnet macaques when compared to the other two macaque species.

Far from home: The synurbisation of a rainforest-evolved primate, the lion-tailed macaque Macaca silenus, and its recent adaptations to anthropogenic habitats in southern India

The lion-tailed macaque is an endangered species, endemic to the Western Ghats of southern India. The Anamalai hills harbour 63 groups of the species, several of which occur in rainforest fragments, amidst tea and coffee plantations, on the Valparai plateau. Being highly arboreal, these populations have always been assumed to be largely restricted to their fragmented forest patches and possibly unable to navigate successfully through the surrounding plantation-human habitation matrix. While adult males have occasionally been sighted along roadsides between forest fragments, we now provide evidence for the emigration of an entire troop out of a forest fragment into nearby human settlements, leading to the inclusion of areas completely devoid of natural vegetation into the core home range of the troop. We argue that a combination of hostile inter-troop encounters, a natural urge to expand their range and the discovery of novel and relatively easily accessible food resources may have led to such unusual ranging patterns, accompanied by significant changes in troop behavioural profiles, which we consider as inexorable processes of synurbisation.

Using behavior and genital swellings to monitor social dynamics and track reproductive cycling in zoo-housed lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus).

Though lion-tailed macaques are managed ex situ as an assurance population, little information is available on the relationship between behavior and reproductive physiology to ensure successful management and evaluate welfare. To facilitate social and reproductive management in a group of one male and three female lion-tailed macaques at Disney's Animal Kingdom®, we observed behaviors associated with dominance and reproduction, rated genital swellings, recorded menses, tracked ovarian cycles as determined by measurement of fecal immunoreactive progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2), and monitored fecal cortisol (CORT). We analyzed the dominance hierarchy of females, compared hormone patterns of ovarian cycles with genital swellings and copulations relative to menses, and tested for correlations between hormones and behavior. The strength of the dominance hierarchy indicated moderate linearity, but relaxed after the dominant female received anxiolytic medications to reduce intraspecific aggression. Fecal P4 and E2 patterns revealed ovarian cycle lengths averaging 29.7 ± 0.8 days. The timing of single-day E2 peaks varied between and within females' cycles. However, on average, E2 peaks occurred 6-10 days after the first day of menses, with maximum genital swellings and copulations occurring slightly thereafter in uncontracepted females. Female-to-female aggression and sexual behaviors with the male were related to ovarian cycle phase, but correlations between behaviors and hormones varied between females. Initiated aggression was positively correlated with E2 in the dominant and mid-ranked females, while aggression received was positively correlated with P4 or negatively correlated with E2 in the mid-ranked and subordinate females. In one uncontracepted female, sexual behaviors with the male were negatively correlated to P4. CORT was positively correlated to aggression in the dominant and mid-ranked females and negatively correlated to grooming in the subordinate female. Results indicate observations of visual and behavioral cues can be used to track ovarian cycles and evaluate social dynamics and welfare in zoo-housed lion-tailed macaques.

The effects of allogrooming and social network position on behavioural indicators of stress in female lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus)

Allogrooming serves an important social function in primates and confers short term benefits such as parasite removal and stress-relief. There is currently mixed evidence as to the immediate impact of allogrooming on an individual’s stress levels, which may be influenced by their role in the grooming dyad, position in their social network, or their relationship with their grooming partner. In this study of seven captive adult female lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) in a mixed sex group at Chester Zoo, UK, we found evidence to support a tension-reduction function of allogrooming. Focal animal sampling showed that the duration of self-directed behaviour (SDB), which indicates moderate to high levels of stress, was significantly lower in the five-minute period following allogrooming than the five-minute period preceding it for both recipients and groomers. However, when compared to match-control periods, both SDB rates and durations were significantly lower across all individuals in the five-minute period both before and after allogrooming, indicating that although allogrooming reduces stress, it is also more likely to occur when individuals are already in a relatively relaxed state. The rate and duration of SDB post-grooming did not correlate with the strength of a dyad’s bond (based on proximity). This suggests that it is the act of allogrooming itself, rather than the identity of the partner, that reduces stress for both parties. Analysis of the proximity network highlighted a clear cost to social integration; node strength, a measure of the number and strength of an individual’s direct relationships, positively correlated with the duration of self-directed behaviour, suggesting that more gregarious individuals may experience higher levels of stress. These findings add to the growing body of literature that examines the effect of the individual social environment on primate stress levels, and also highlight the need to further investigate the link between social integration and the stress experienced by group-living animals.

Personality as a Predictor of Time-Activity Budget in Lion-Tailed Macaques (Macaca silenus).

Simple SummaryTime-activity budgets describe how animals divide their day into various behaviours and activities, e.g., time spent foraging or resting. Activity budgets can serve as crucial indicators of energy intake and expenditure, providing better knowledge of a species’ lifestyle. The conventional trend has been to explore group-level time-activity budgets; however, individuals may also vary in their time-activity budgets (e.g., one individual foraging more than another), with the influencing mechanisms still poorly understood. We propose that animal personality, a behavioural and cognitive profile that makes one individual different from another, may explain why individuals vary in their time-activity budgets. We used a multi-method approach comprised of behavioural observations and experiments to assess the personality traits of lion-tailed macaques. The observed traits were used to predict individual time-activity budgets, broadly categorised into food-related, active, and resting behaviours. We then discuss the significance of this novel approach in light of lion-tailed macaque ecology, conservation, and welfare. Time-activity budget, i.e., how a population or an individual divides their day into various behaviours and activities, is an important ecological aspect. Existing research primarily focused on group-level time-activity budgets, while individual variations have only been reported recently. However, little is known about how consistent inter-individual differences or personalities influence time-activity budgets. We examined the personalities of lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) and investigated their influence on individual time-activity budgets. The resulting personality traits, namely persistence, sociability, affiliation, and anxiety, were used to predict the three broad categories of the time-activity budget—food-related, active, and resting behaviours. We found that persistence and sociability positively predicted the time spent being active. Food-related behaviours were positively predicted by persistence, while anxiety was found to influence them negatively. The time spent resting was negatively predicted by persistence. We did not find an effect of affiliation on the time-activity budgets. We discuss these findings in light of the ecology of lion-tailed macaques. Our study highlights the importance of a novel approach that uses animal personality traits as predictors of individual time-activity budgets and offers insights regarding the use of personality assessments in conservation and welfare activities.

Lion-tailed macaques show a stable direction and reinforcement of hand preference in simple reaching tasks over several years

Research on hand preference in non-human primates provides information about the evolutionary origin of population-level bias of human handedness. Human hand preference has been shown to remain stable throughout an individual's lifespan. However, the stability of hand preference and its change with age in non-human primates remains questionable. We recorded hand use in lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) during simple reaching tasks in three time periods over six years. We tested the effect of age and body posture on the direction and strength of hand preference in 23 observed individuals. In a subsample of 13 individuals followed for two or three subsequent time periods, we assessed the stability of hand preference across study periods. The direction of hand preference was highly stable; we detected no individuals changing from a left- to right-, or right- to left- preference and repeated quantitative measures of hand preference were correlated among subsequent study periods. Hand preference was, however, reinforced in older individuals and an individual's hand preference was stronger in postures with both hands free for foraging. Stable hand preference at an individual level, and its reinforcement over an individual's lifetime, is emerging as a robust finding across the primate order.

Determinants of habitat occupancy and spatial segregation of primates in the central Western Ghats, India.

Primates are among the globally imperiled fauna requiring urgent conservation interventions to protect their habitat. Information on species distribution and factors influencing it are vital to species management and habitat protection. In this study, we assessed habitat occupancy of the lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus), bonnet macaque (M. radiata), and black-footed gray langur (Semnopithecus hypoleucos) that occur in the Kudremukh Wildlife Division, a large protected area network in the central Western Ghats. We examined the influence of habitat variables on the occupancy probability of these primates. We carried out four temporally replicated detection/non-detection surveys to assess detection probability and site occupancy of the primate species. We surveyed 244 sites of 5 Km2, with each site surveyed for 4 days, to assess detection probability and site occupancy. Among the three species, the langur had the highest habitat occupancy estimate (0.66 ± 0.05SE) and the lion-tailed macaque had the lowest estimate (0.28 ± 0.08SE). The habitat occupancy estimate for the bonnet macaque was (0.56 ± 0.05SE). Wet and semi-evergreen forest cover and mean elevation positively influenced the lion-tailed macaque's occurrence. Covariates influencing bonnet macaque's occurrence were plantations, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests, and non-forest areas. Mean elevation negatively affected its occurrence. Wet evergreen forests and plantations positively influenced the occurrence of the langur. We examined spatial segregation between the species based on their site occupancy. Pairwise comparisons revealed a significant negative association between the bonnet macaque and the other two primates. However, we found a significant positive association between the lion-tailed macaque and the langur. We discuss these results and their implications for conservation of primates in the region. Given the cost-effectiveness of carrying out surveys at large spatial scales, we recommend occupancy surveys for future surveys of forest primates.

The captive population of the Lion-tailed Macaque Macaca silenus (Linnaeus, 1758). The future of an endangered primate under human care

For conservation breeding, the endangered Lion-tailed Macaques have been maintained in North America under SSP since 1983 and in Europe under EEP since 1989. Based on a growing interest to support the species long-term survival, the SSP population increased considerably during the first few years of the programme but due to space problems and resulting birth control measures, it has drastically declined to small numbers and a non- breeding status at present. The EEP population continually increased till 2012, but due to the lack of spaces and birth control practises, it has gradually declined since then. It is emphasised that the knowledge gained from field studies on Lion-tailed Macaques in India and its incorporation for captive management under EEP has helped develop appropriate management strategies. Captive propagation of the Lion-tailed Macaque in India, the habitat country, can profit from the successes and drawbacks of the long-term management experiences of SSP and EEP.

The costs and benefits of coexistence: What determines people's willingness to live near nonhuman primates?

Living near primate species has positive and negative outcomes for human communities. While most studies focus on understanding people's perceptions regarding the adverse consequences of interacting with primates, less is known about people's willingness to coexist with primates or reasons that may promote human-primate coexistence. We surveyed 794 people co-living with four different primate species-rhesus macaque Macaca mulatta, bonnet macaque Macaca radiata, lion-tailed macaque Macaca silenus, and Hanuman langur Semnopithecus dussumieri-in southern and western India to understand how people perceived the costs and benefits of coexistence. The results of our semi-structured interview study revealed that although tangible costs (i.e., financial losses from primate depredation) primarily drive people's stated tolerance for primate presence, intangible benefits from primates (i.e., their ecological, existence, sentience, and religious values) also critically affect attitudes towards coexistence. Amongst the four species, people associated rhesus macaques with the greatest costs and fewest benefits, lion-tailed macaques with the lowest costs, and bonnet macaques with the highest benefits. People preferred lion-tailed macaques and Hanuman langurs more than bonnet and rhesus macaques, and affection for a species shaped how people viewed costs accruing from the species. People's preferences for species were influenced by their existence, ecological, and sentience values more than their religious value. We suggest that intangible benefits influence people's fondness for a primate species and this, in turn, shapes how people perceive costs resulting from the species. Hence strengthening people's perceptions of the intangible benefits they receive from primate species will improve human tolerance for living near primates. We argue that there is a need to understand the context of human-primate conflicts beyond the cost aspects and focus on the benefits to improve human-primate coexistence.

Effects of GnRH agonists on testosterone and testosterone-stimulated parameters for contraception and aggression reduction in male lion-tailed Macaques (Macaca silenus).

Managing social groups in zoos requires controlling reproduction in individuals that do not have a current breeding recommendation, while simultaneously maintaining social harmony and animal well-being. Contraceptives, such as gonadotropin releasing-hormone (GnRH) agonists, that suppress testosterone production, offer a potential solution. They achieve infertility by interrupting spermatogenesis and may ameliorate androgen-induced aggression. This study investigated the effects of two GnRH agonists, histrelin and deslorelin, on testosterone, testis size, body weight and sperm production in male lion-tailed macaques, along with subjective observations of aggressive behavior. Five trials at three institutions with 14 males demonstrated that 100 mg histrelin or 9 to 12 mg of deslorelin could at least temporarily reduce testosterone, but a lower 6 mg dose was ineffective. However, ability of deslorelin to produce azoospermia varied among males, even at the highest dose. In general, a higher dose was needed (1) to achieve than to maintain suppression of any measured parameter and (2) to suppress sperm production than testosterone concentration. Testosterone production was also more likely than sperm production to recover, suggesting possible damage to seminiferous tubules but not to Leydig cells. Aggressive behavior was reduced in all but the group receiving the lowest dose. This allowed social groups to be maintained for many years despite recovery of testosterone in some males, suggesting that new social roles had been learned and become independent of androgen influence.

Phenological patterns, fruit predation, and seed dispersal in two Endangered trees (Elaeocarpus spp.) of Southern Western Ghats, India

The observation on phenological patterns, fruit predation, and seed dispersal behavior of Elaeocarpus gaussenii and Elaeocarpus recurvatus was carried out at Megamalai wildlife sanctuary and Kodaikanal wildlife sanctuary, Southern Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, India. The phenoevents of vegetative and reproductive phases of both trees were mainly depended on climatic factors such as temperature and rainfall. The leaf flushing period of two species of Elaeocarpus was observed during presummer season and the leaf initiation was recorded from the end of November or December. The observation on flowering phenology of two species of Elaeocarpus indicated that mass flowering has observed as regular phenoevents, whereas flowering intensity has varied from year to year. However, in both species, flowering period was influenced by temperature of study site. The fleshy fruits have been attracted by different predators such as the Malabar giant squirrel, lion-tailed macaque, bonnet macaque, Indian crested porcupine, red-whiskered bulbul, green barbet, Indian white-eye. The size and weight of the fruit were also play an important role toward the attraction of predators. The study has find out the problems in the mature individuals of both tree species in the study areas and to develop a solution to raise the additional individuals in the forest areas.

The effect of a new enclosure on the behaviour of a large captive group of lion-tailed macaques Macaca silenus

The captive environment can significantly impact animal behaviour. Relocating a captive group to a more biologically relevant enclosure can positively impact behaviour and welfare. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a new enclosure on the behaviour of a captive group of lion-tailed macaques Macaca silenus located in Fota Wildlife Park. The macaques were moved in late January/early February 2015 to an enclosure that is larger and more complex but is in closer proximity to visitors. Baseline data were collected from February to October 2014, prior to the move. Data in the new enclosure were collected for the 2 months following the move, prior to additional changes occurring in the group. One year since the relocation, data were collected again, in February and March 2016. The results showed that in the months following the move to the new enclosure the macaques spent more time out of sight and less time engaged in self-directed behaviours. Visitor number had an impact on behaviour of the macaques, but there was no significant difference between the two enclosures in terms of visitor effect. Further monitoring will continue to determine the effect of the new enclosure on behaviour.

Changing ecologies, shifting behaviours: Behavioural responses of a rainforest primate, the lion-tailed macaque Macaca silenus, to a matrix of anthropogenic habitats in southern India.

With the uncontrolled expansion of anthropogenic modifications of the environment, wildlife species are forced to interact with humans, often leading to conflict situations that have detrimental effects for both wildlife and humans. Such interactions are escalating globally, making it crucial for us to devise strategies for both, the management of conflict and the conservation of these often-threatened species. We studied a case of potentially detrimental human-wildlife interactions between an endemic, habitat-specialist primate, the lion-tailed macaque Macaca silenus and resident human communities that has developed in recent years in the Western Ghats mountains of southern India. Primates provide useful model systems to understand the extent and nature of behavioural changes exhibited by wildlife in response to anthropogenic habitats with varying degrees of human influence. We documented behaviours, including foraging and intra-species social interactions, to examine the decisions made by the macaques as they exploited four human-modified habitats, which, for the purpose of this study, have been qualitatively characterised to include structural features of the habitat, type of food resources available and the presence of humans. Access to human-origin food, either cooked or packaged, acquired directly from homes or garbage pits, in the human-dominated habitat appeared to significantly reduce active foraging and searching for food, allowing them to engage in other behavioural activities, such as resting. Furthermore, patterns of reciprocated affiliation dissipated in certain human-dominated habitats, with individuals seeming to have adopted novel behavioural strategies, leading to altered social dynamics in the troop, possibly in response to provisioning. This study thus highlights the importance of understanding behavioural changes displayed by animals in response to human interactions; such knowledge could be crucial for the planning and implementation of management and conservation strategies for endangered species such as the lion-tailed macaque and possibly other wildlife in the increasingly anthropogenic landscapes of the tropical world.

Introducing three new males into a captive lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus) group

The introduction of an unfamiliar animal to a new individual or group can be highly stressful for any animal. Various studies have tried to determine the best method for introducing unfamiliar animals to each other, but many disagree on the most appropriate method of introduction. In this study, three new male lion-tailed macaques Macaca silenus, were introduced to the resident group in Fota Wildlife Park. The introduction method here was slow, with controlled contact between the new males and resident group over a period of 17 months. Behavioural data were collected using scan and focal sampling to observe the differences in the behaviour of the existing group before and after the introduction of these new males and during the different types of contact (‘outside pen’, ‘indoor house’, ‘split group’ and ‘mixed’). Data were analysed using randomisation and a likelihood-ratio G-test. Active behaviours increased in the first 3 months following the introduction of the new males, while self-directed behaviours decreased overall. Aggression was observed most frequently in the first three months after introduction of the new males, during the ‘outside pen’ period of contact. By September 2018, there was one successful birth within the group, one of the two surviving males was fully integrated into the group, and with the integration of the second male looking promising, overall this indicates a positive introduction and integration.

Management of Forest-Dwelling and Urban Species: Case Studies of the Lion-Tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus) and the Bonnet Macaque (M. radiata)

Species conservation depends on the needs of the species concerned. For example, obligatory forest-dwelling and typically urban primate species require different conservation approaches. Here, I compare the ecology, life history, and behavior of two species of macaques in southern India; review what we know about the conservation challenges for each; and propose conservation measures. Lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) are endemic to the rainforests of the Western Ghats and are endangered as a result of fragmentation of their habitats and low population growth. I recommend identification of contiguous forest habitats for viable lion-tailed macaque populations, improving the quality of their degraded habitats, and the linking of forest fragments with native vegetation as management measures for their conservation. In contrast, the bonnet macaque (M. radiata) is a habitat generalist endemic to southern India, but is losing its range to the relatively larger bodied and more aggressive rhesus macaque (M. mulatta). It is not a typically forest-dwelling species, and its populations are declining drastically in its traditional habitats that include Hindu temples, tourist spots, and roadsides with fruit-bearing trees and agricultural crops. The population has remained stable only where the habitat allows the macaques to forage in scrub jungle and includes a temple where the monkeys can obtain food from visitors. India is dotted with small hillocks with natural scrub or deciduous forest vegetation with one or two Hindu temples, and it appears that such habitats are the most suitable places for the long-term conservation of this species. These two case studies serve as examples of the different approaches needed to conserve forest-dwelling and urban primates, and with appropriate modifications, may inform the conservation of many other species.