why are lion-tailed macaque endangered

WHAT CAUSE A SEA TURTLE TO BE A FEMALE OR A MALE? They use as many as 17 different vocalizations for communications and also communicate with body language such as yawning, smacking lips, etc. Their range has become increasingly isolated and fragmented by the spread of agriculture and tea, coffee, teak and cinchona, construction of water reservoirs for irrigation and power generation, and human settlements to support such activities. Your email address will not be published. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. It includes the Mudumalai, Mukurthi, Sathyamangalam, Nagarhole, Wayanad, and Bandipur national parks encompassing an area of about 5,520 sq. This lion tailed macaque is endangered because of deforestation of their habitat. Lion-tailed Macaques are polygynous and females generally give birth to one offspring at a time. Lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus), a primate endemic to small and severely fragmented rainforests of the Western Ghats in Karnataka, … Have you ever heard of Tobaccoville, North Carolina? Lion Tailed Macaque Size The monkey weight is 2 … We'd love to hear from you! There are around 100,000 of them left in Japan (The only region in which they are located in). A local census concluded in 2007, conducted in the Theni District of Tamil Nadu, put their numbers at around 250, which was considered encouraging, because till then, no lion-tailed macaques had been reported in that specific area. The two animals are similar in appearance, especially at a distance, and the hunters believe that the meat of … WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EXTINCT AND EXTINCT IN THE WILD? The hairless face is black in colour. Other notable threats include persecution as pest species due to raiding crops. The name Lion-tailed comes from a black tuft at the end of their tail which is very similar to that of Lions. Woodland Park Zoo Lion-tailed Macaque (Photo: Kristin Abt) By: Kristin Abt. They do not live, feed or travel through plantations. Lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) are found only in India in the Western Ghats mountains. Atula Gupta is the Founder and Editor of indiasendangered.com. During the last few decades there has been a dramatic decrease. Please fill the form below to request the right to reproduce any piece of our content. It's a small town with roughly 2,500 people. Order: Primates. Lion-tailed macaques are often mistaken by local hunters to be Nilgiri langurs (Semnopithecus johnii), which means an additional threat to these already-endangered animals. The lion-tailed macaque is one of the most endan- gered primates endemic to the tropical rainforests of Western Ghats … They usually live till 20-30 years of age, and feed on insects, seeds, fruits, etc. Hunting for skin, meat and erroneously as a source of medicine. WHY DO SNOW LEOPARDS HAVE SUCH A LONG TAIL? The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is an International Biosphere Reserve in the Western Ghats and Nilgiri Hills ranges of South India. With a head-body length of 42 to 61 cm and a weight of 2 to 10 kg, it ranks among the smaller macaques. lesser known species into the mainstream. The Lion-tailed Macaque has a mane of hair and a tail that makes it look like a lion. km. Macaca silenus lives in evergreen and semi-evergreen rainforests and monsoon forests. Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, India. Estimated at around 2500 to exist worldwide, with around 4% of that in captivity, they are a species to watch out for, Tropical zones in Western Ghats are where they are exclusively found in India, A lovely mammal, a great primate, always a pleasure to see them in happy groups. The lion-tailed macaque, endemic to the evergreen forests of the Western Ghats in southern India, is endangered. Males larger than females and have prominent canine teeth. Family: Cercopithecidae The hair of the lion-tailed macaque is black. Geographic Range. Destruction of their habitat and their avoidance of human proximity have led to the drastic decrease of their population. Unlike other macaques, it avoids humans. Now imagine that those 2,500 people were the entirety of the human population. Additionally, the Lion-tailed macaques are frequently killed because of being mistaken for Nilgiri langurs, which are commonly hunted for their meat that is falsely believed to have medicinal properties. The life expectancy in the wild is approximately 20 years, while in captivity is up to 30 years. Reproduction cycle or gestation is although the year and generally females are ready from 5 yrs of age, while the males are mostly ready around the 7th year to mate, this has kept their numbers from not becoming extinct, but the fear of dwindling numbers due to habits loss is a major concern. Lion Tailed Macaque, Photo Courtesy indianaturewatch.net. The Lion-tailed Macaque lives in forested areas in the Western Ghats, a mountain range in southwest India. The LTM, as they are popularly called by the wildlife enthusiast’s community, are specially found in the areas around Valparai, which has become a major habitat for these animals. Groups are formed with a dominant male heading the group and the mother and offspring. The lion-tailed macaque is a diurnal rainforest dweller. From 1993 to 1996, 14 troops were observed in Silent Valley National Park,Kerala, one of the most undisturbed viable habitats left for them. Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve is India’s first and foremost biosphere reserves with a heritage, rich in flora and fauna. The lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus), also known as the wanderoo, is an Old World monkey endemic to the Western Ghats of South India. Included on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), That is the problem facing the lion-tailed macaque, or Macaca silenus. They use as many as 17 different vocalizations for communications and also communicate with body language such as yawning, smacking lips, etc. If not, that's not surprising. Lion-Tailed Macaque - Name: Lion-Tailed Macaque, Scientific Name: Macaca silenus, Continent or Island: Asia, Mass: 4.4 – 22 lbs, Length: 17 – 24 in, Status: Endangered, Featured Films and Nature Documentaries: The Jungle Book (2016), Park Attractions: Maharajah Jungle Trek A recent assessment for IUCN reports 3000-3500 of these animals live scattered over several areas in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, KarnatakaThe lion-tailed macaque ranks among the rarest and most threatened primates. They are so called because of their thin tail with the tuft of hair at the end resembling a lion’s tail. There still exists a huge gap, however, in our knowledge of this macaque's status at many sites. She hopes this website provides a platform for people to be aware about species in the verge of extinction and heighten their conservation efforts. Lion-tailed macaque behaviour is characterized by typical patterns such as arboreal living, selectively feeding on a large variety of fruit trees, large inter individual spaces while foraging, and time budgets with high proportion of time devoted to exploration and feeding. She is also the author of Environment Science Essentials, a set of books for school children. It is sheer pleasure to watch these intelligent creatures hide good amount of food in their cheek pouches and acting fishy once they hide. They are rich in wildlife and harbour a number of endangered and endemic species (Balakrishnan, 1984; Balakrishnan & Easa, 1986). The male’s tail-tuft is more developed than that of the female. Lifespan: 20 years (In the wild), Higher classification: Macaque Tribal groups like the Todas, Kotas, Irullas, Kurumbas, Paniyas, Adiyans, Edanadan Chettis, Cholanaickens, Allar, Malayan, etc., are native to the reserve. Once the pouches are full, they go back to the higher elevations and then eat. Gestation is approximately six months. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) removed the rare Indian monkey from the list saying that the state governments had acted well to ensure that the animal was protected. Many zoos take part in breeding programs which help to secure the survival of this species. Over the last two decades surveys have documented population declines in a number of areas. Are you a writer passionate about nature & wildlife? Lion-tailed macaque in India. Continuous efforts and habitat protection there has been an improvements in the numbers of these species. website bringing stories of By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. Destr… Lion-tailed Macaques have a black shiny coat with a striking grey mane around the face. From 1977 to 1980, public concern about the endangered status of lion-tailed macaque became the focal point of Save Silent Valley, India’s fiercest environmental debate of the decade. The lion-tailed macaque is classified as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN, 2015), appearing on the ICUN Red List of Threatened Species. Gestation period: 183 days. Photo by Russell A. Mittermeier Even though this country is less than 2% the size of the other three major regions where there are primates and less than 1% of the total area occupied by these animals, Madagascar is a vital region for primates, since it is the natural habitat of lemurs, endemic primates (around 110 species). It is estimated that there are less than one thousand individuals remaining in their habitats in India. While foraging, food is stuffed in the cheek pouches which can store as much food as their stomach. The young are nursed for one year. It is located in the Western Ghats between 76°- 77°15’E and 11°15’ – 12°15’N. Generally the sexes are similar in growth , a average of 20-30 inches in length. Currently you have JavaScript disabled. The lion tailed macaque for which the sanctuary is named is classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. About 338 of these macaques are reported to live in zoos. The Lion-tailed macaque is endemic and native exclusively to Western Ghats (India). Their range has become increasingly isolated and fragmented by the spread of agriculture and tea, coffee, teak and cinchona, construction of water reservoirs for irrigation and power generation, and human settlements to support such activities. Habitat fragmentation is one of the primary threats to the species, which is endemic to the region. It is listed in Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Endangered lion-tailed macaque born at Fota Wildlife Park Parents Tish and Mauzer keeping close since arrival, meaning staff unsure of infant’s sex Thu, Aug 2, 2018, 11:48 http://envfor.nic.in/legis/wildlife/wildlife2s1.pdf, http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Macaca_silenus/, http://www.arkive.org/lion-tailed-macaque/macaca-silenus/. Required fields are marked *. making international trade in this species illegal. India's Endangered is an independent Decline of the Endangered lion-tailed macaque Macaca silenus in the Western Ghats, India HonnavalliN.Kumaraand AnindyaSinha Abstract The Endangered lion-tailed macaque Macaca silenus is … yes they are endangered. The species is also prominently found in the Papanasam part of the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve of  Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. Where macaque territories overlap, raucous clashes can erupt. Their endangered status is mostly due to habitat destruction. View all posts by Atula Gupta →, Your email address will not be published. With less than 2,500 still living in the wild, they are one of the most endangered species in the world. Though macaques live over a fairly wide area of Southern India, much of the fore… IUCN (2010) estimates a mere 2,500 mature individuals with a total population size of 4,000 individuals. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Unlike other primates the LTM’s are territorial and live in groups and territorial fights are a common occurrence, they are very expressive like other primates and it is a joy to watch them playing, eating etc in the western forests. Stragglers hearing the screeches and screams of battle will rush to join in, shrieking in solidarity with those on the front line. Sexual maturity is reached at four years for females, and six years for males. It is a Schedule 1 species under WPA, 1972 and thereby, accorded the highest protection under the Indian law. Included on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. The Lion-tailed Macaque Monkey has a head-to-tail length of 45 to 60 centimetres and a weight of 3 to 10 kilograms and is one of the smaller macaques. If this proves to be fruitless, it brawls aggressively. Weight – Males weight between 9 to 11 kgs and females weigh between 7 to 8 kg. In the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka biodiversity hotspot, the last of the Endangered lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus)—about 4,000 of them in total—reside. native; Habitat. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SUMATRAN AND A BENGAL TIGER? It's a living proof of the amazing diversity of its mountain rainforest habitat. The lion tailed macaque is no more part of the list of 25 most endangered primates in the world. Endangered Lion-tailed Macaque. However, it is no longer on ‘The World’s 25 Most Endangered Primates’ list, after the international body compiling it determined that the local governments in southern India had acted positively to protect it. It is endangered as its forest habitat is being turned into farmland to sate the needs of ever expanding human civilization. A fascinating ecosystem of the hill ranges of Nilgiris and its surrounding environments covering a tract of over 5000 square kilometers was constituted as Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in September 1986 under Man and Biosphere Programme. This Device can Detect the Presence of Animals from Thin Air, New Climber Discovered from the Western Ghats, Anti-poaching Camp for the Sea Cucumbers of Lakshadweep. Lion-tailed macaque. Endemic to India, they are found in the Western Ghats in the South-West. They do not live, feed or  travel through plantations. by clicking here. The Lion-tailed Macaque Monkeys hairless face is black in colour. Lion-tailed macaque, also known Wanderoo, is an exotic creature that is found commonly in the rainforests of the Western Ghats of South India. Visit www.adventurewildlife.in/subscriptions  or call 9986630555. India's Endangered grants permission to reprint any of our original content published on this website after a requisite has been made for the same. A species that’s endemic to western ghats of India, spread across tamilnadu, kerala and karnataka. They feed on fruits, roots, bark, leaves, seeds, fungi, tree frogs, lizards, etc. This species has. The Lion-tailed Macaque has a mane of hair and a tail that makes it look like a lion. The Lion-tailed Macaque lives in forested areas in the Western Ghats, a mountain range in southwest India. Lion tailed Macaques were named in the top 25 most endangered animals list not so long ago. They also tend to feed on tree barks and other foliage,  smaller insects, frogs and lizards. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A DRAGONFLY AND A DAMSELFLY? It is a territorial animal, defending its area first with loud cries towards the invading troops. The tail is medium in length, about 25 cm, and has a black tuft at the end, similar to a lion’s tail. They typically are associated with broadleaf trees, and can be found at elevations as great as 1,500 m. This species is a good tree climber and it lives mainly on tress. Send your resume to contact[at]indiasendangered[dot]com with the subject 'Wildlife Writer'. It is endangered as its forest habitat is being turned into farmland to sate the needs of ever expanding human civilization. Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve encompasses parts of Tamilnadu, Kerala and Karnataka. The monkey lives in the high area of the trees. They are endangered because of their gradually diminishing habitat, mostly because of coffee and tea plantations, and because of human settlement. Lion-tailed Macaques may be found at elevations of about 1500 metres in evergreen and semi ever green monsoon forests with broadleaf trees. The Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus) is an endangered cercopithecine primate native to the Western Ghats region of India, described as one of the primary hotspots of biodiversity in the world (Kumara & Singh, 2004). The lion-tailed macaque is listed on the endangered species list as their habitats have been majorly taken over by the plantations in the western Ghats, Although they are not in the top 25 list at present. If you like what you read, support us Lion-tailed Macaques are one of the smallest and most endangered macaque species. Less than 2000 Lion-tailed Macaques exist in the wild. Length: 42 – 61 cm (Adult, Head and body), Mass: 2 – 10 kg (Adult) Their tail is medium length and measures around 25 centimetres and has a black tuft at the end, similar to a lions tail. There may be fewer than 2,500 mature individuals left in the world and the species is expected to further decline by over 20% in … Satish is a an avid photographer and a wildlife enthusiast.Dr. This Endangered Animal Lion Tailed Macaque population decreases due to the reduction of the gap between humans and forests due to the agriculture, plantations and other reasons. Adaptations The Lion-Tailed Macaques have plenty of ways of communicating with one another, they scream, howl, gesture to each other, and they do this for reasons such as warning other Macaques of danger. Would you like to write about India's endangered species? A self-sustainable single population of 32 groups of lion-tailed macaques occurred in Sirsi-Honnavara, Karnataka, the northernmost population of the species. There are just around 3000 lion-tailed macaques in the wild across the Western Ghats and is a Schedule 1 species under WPA, 1972. Protected under Schedule I of the Lion-tailed Macaques are one of the smallest and most endangered macaque species. Found less than 4000 in number, this animal is one of the world’s most endangered primates. Endemic to rainforests of the Western Ghats, the Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca Silenus) is an Endangered species, according to IUCN assessment. Its outstanding characteristic is the silver-white mane which surrounds the head from the cheeks down to its chin, which gives this monkey its German name Bartaffe – “beard ape”. Along with that, poaching of  these monkeys for flesh and fur exists to a great extent. (BBC, 2005; Nowak, 1999)Biogeographic Regions; oriental. It primarily eats indigenous fruits, leaves, buds, insects and small vertebrates in virgin forest, but can adapt to rapid environmental change in areas of massive selective logging through behavioural modifications and broadening of food choices to include fruits, seeds, shoots, pith, flowers, cones, mesocarp, and other parts of many non indigenous and pioneer plants.In the forests of Kerala they were observed preying on nestling and eggs of pigeons. The Sharavathi Valley Lion-Tailed Macaque Sanctuary is home to the elusive lion-tailed macaques (LTM) which is listed under the ‘endangered’ category in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Western ghats are filled with jackfruit trees making for a huge part of the LTM’S menu. We found that the lion-tailed macaque troops in the isolated forest patches in Anamalai hills have depleted mitochondrial DNA diversity compared to troops in larger and continuous forests. The Western Ghats, Nilgiri Sub-Cluster (6,000+ km²), conjoining the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, is a World Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in 2012. under his care, Males when they are ready to mate split and create new groups and wander out. Her work has appeared in a number of international websites, dailies and magazines including The Wire, Deccan Herald, New Indian Express, Down to Earth and Heritage India on issues related to environment and its conservation. In the wild, lion-tailed macaques are endangered, which is why a targeted breeding programme has been established in zoos. FAST FACTS. Simha has a doctorate in wildlife conservation and is the Editor/Publisher of Adventure & Wildlife Magazine. In and around Anamalai Tiger Reserve in India, that fragmentation has resulted in road mortalities as the monkeys Does the Ganges River Dolphin Benefit from the New Dolphin Safari? In group behavior, it is much like other macaques; it lives in hierarchical groups of usually 10 to 20 animals, which consist of few males and many females. Habitat Fragmentation leading to inbreeding which creates weaker populations. The species is found only in a few rainforests of the Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu and has been one of the biggest victims of habitat loss due to deforestation. It is a good climber and spends a majority of its life in the upper canopy of tropical moist evergreen forests. You can print the information from this pdf-  Lion Tailed Macaque. They feed on fruits, roots, bark, leaves, seeds, fungi, tree frogs, lizards, etc. Did you know? A recent assessment for IUCN reports 3000-3500 of these animals live scattered over several areas in Kerala.The lion-tailed macaque ranks among the rarest and most threatened primates. Zoo Leipzig has kept lion-tailed macaques since 1962 and is involved in the conservation of this species. 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