Rogue Long-tailed Macaque Relocated

A few days ago we were called out to the aid of an adult male long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) by the local livestock department. They had received the monkey the day before from some local people who had found him wandering far from forest his home. The WFFT Vet Team headed out to investigate. Upon arrival to the livestock dept. the monkey had no visible serious injuries. He was transported back to the to the WFFT Wildlife Rescue Centre for a more thorough medical assessment.

The long-tailed macaque is listed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN Red list of Threatened Species, in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, tolerance of a broad range of habitats, occurrence in a number of protected areas. Females are often taken into breeding facilities and males are exported internationally primarily for use in laboratory research. Habitat loss and degradation due to human encroachment, pose the biggest threat to all macaque species. They are regularly persecuted as pests. Increasing competition between macaques and humans due the increase in need of land for agriculture and other human activities is the foremost reason that macaques are persecuted as pests. Hostile encounters with macaques are common in urban areas due to the active promotion of their presence for spiritual and entertainment purposes by provisioning food for the macaques. We (humans) both promote population growth through the provision of food and the protection habitat, and on the other hand we hinder it through the continued fragmentation of habitat, capture and exportation for research, and the pet-trade.

After spending a couple days in quarantine to assess his health, he was deemed well enough and ready to be returned home. Urban macaques, particularly at Buddhist temples are often perceived as a threat to humans and their property. When macaques from such areas are rescued or relocated WFFT de-sexes them prior to release, this male had already been de-sexed, this is what the tattoo on his chest signifies. So yesterday the team headed out to release him back to the wild. Upon arrival to the release site he seemed familiar with his surroundings. He ran off up into his mountain temple home. We hope he does not run into trouble again.