Lion-Tailed Macaque faces threat from human interaction, study revealed

NEW DELHI: A recent study has highlighted the survival threat faced by the lion-tailed macaque, a species endemic to the Western Ghats, due to increasing human interaction. Published in the journal Primate Conservation by the Primate Specialist Group under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the study revealed that food provisioning and human interactions are endangering at least 12% of the lion-tailed macaques in the Western Ghats.

Belonging to the Old World monkey genera, the lion-tailed macaque is listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The study, conducted by Sheheer T, Peroth Balakrishnan of the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI), and Prof Mewa Singh of Mysore University, took place at eight locations along roads passing through forests in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.

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The research found that these primates are increasingly feeding on food provided by tourists or discarded by passersby, posing a significant survival risk to their already declining population. Additionally, many of these animals fall victim to vehicle collisions on these roads. The study noted that approximately 25% of the population in these eight locations regularly encounters humans which constitutes about 12% of the total lion-tailed macaque population in the Western Ghats. With an estimated population of around 4,200, the species faces a serious long-term survival threat.

Co-author Dr. Balakrishnan, Head of the Department of Wildlife Biology at KFRI, explained that human feeding and access to discarded food are altering the macaques’ natural behaviors. This change is detrimental to their health, increasing the risks of disease, malnutrition, and dependency on unnatural food sources. The junk food provided by humans often leads to obesity and poor health among the primates. Furthermore, the increased frequency of human-macaque interactions can facilitate the spread of diseases and heighten the likelihood of road accidents and aggressive encounters.

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The study identified three locations where the species faces the highest threat: Valparai in Tamil Nadu, Nelliyampathy, and Sabarimala in Kerala. These areas are major tourist and pilgrim spots, and uncontrolled tourism could exacerbate the human-primate conflict.

To mitigate these threats, the study called for the installation of signages and warning boards to prevent littering, feeding of animals, and rash driving. Additionally, more research is needed to understand the reasons behind these interactions and develop effective conservation strategies

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