Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
In the more natural habitats, the monkeys are seen as destructive pests. They
raid crops, help to destroy indigenous vegetation, help spread invasive intro-
duced plant species (such as guava and privet), and are thought to be a major
contributor to the possible extinction of indigenous species of birds (Gleadow,
1904
; Owadally,
1980
; Cheke,
1987
; Jones and Owadally,
1988
; Carter and
Bright,
2002
; Global Invasive Species Data Base,
2007
; Bunbury
et al
.,
2008a
).
In fact, the macaques have long been implicated as one of the major factors
leading to the destruction and near extinction of the highly endangered pink
pigeon (
Columba mayeri
) (Durrell,
1973
; Swinnerton,
2001
). They are thought
to opportunistically feed on the eggs of the pigeon as well as any adults they
are able to capture. Most references to the pink pigeon suggest that predation
by macaques and other introduced mammals is one of the greatest threats to
their survival. However, very few, if any systematic studies have been con-
ducted to determine the rate at which predation occurs or the degree to which
it affects the pigeon population.
Although it is highly probable that predation of the pink pigeon by the
macaques does occur on occasion, it is unlikely to be one of the major threats
facing these rare birds. In a three-year study on the island, Bunbury
et al
.,
(
2008b
) found that over half of all pink pigeon deaths were due to parasite
infection and only 9 percent were due to predation by macaques, rats, mon-
gooses and feral cats. Given the number of studies conducted on parasite
infection (i.e., Bunbury
et al
.,
2007
,
2008a
; Swinnerton
et al
.,
2005
), it is
clearly a threat to the remaining pigeon population and is perhaps exacer-
bated by a lack of genetic diversity due to inbreeding depression (Swinnerton
et al
.,
2004
). Complete destruction of the macaques on the island of Mauritius
would therefore not ensure the continued survival of the pink pigeon and is
unjustified as the main argument for their capture and export as biomedical
subjects.
Throughout the island, the monkeys are hunted as pests and for food and, in
recent years, they have been poached and sold to some of the less reputable bio-
medical labs. Monkey curry (Carri de Jocot or Curry No. 2) is a popular dish,
often served as a specialty meal during weekend fairs at Catholic Churches
(referred to as Fancy Fairs,
Figure 8.5
), though we have never observed mon-
key on a restaurant menu. Most people in Mauritius rarely see or interact with
the monkeys and there have been no detailed, systematic studies of the interface
between the two species or on the attitudes of the general population towards
the monkeys. We intend to conduct such a study.
Recently, the macaques have taken on a new and different role in Mauritius.
Their value for medical research has been discovered. Since the early 1980s,
the monkeys have been exported for this purpose and are a valuable commod-
ity. It appears that the Mauritian macaques are relatively free from natural
