Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 10.3. A captive macaque on Ngeaur.
part of the island. The constitution of 1979 banned firearms and the eradica-
tion campaign ended, however, people continue to shoot and trap the animals.
About 83 animals were shot between 1997 and 1999 and another attempted
eradication program started in June of 2001(Wheatley et al ., 2002 ). The ani-
mals are killed to remove them as threats to garden areas and as sport. The
lighthouse troop in the northern part of the island was most actively hunted
despite the lack of gardens there (Farslow, 1987 ). About 70 animals were
trapped on Ngeaur in 1986 for biological evaluations to assess the feasibil-
ity of establishing an experimental animal line (Matsubayashi et al ., 1989 ).
Trapping appeared widespread in 1994. We were informed in 1994 that male
baby monkeys were sold for $100. The government requires export permits for
female macaques. Farslow ( 1987 ) reports that pet macaques were sold in Koror
during his field study. He further mentions that people also hunt fruit bats and
sell them off island.
Some non-lethal methods of control have been attempted. Monkey repel-
lents of hot peppers and bilimbi ( oterbekai ) fruits were applied to trees and
other plants for a few months but were ineffective after being washed away
by the rain. According to informants, the monkeys eat oterbekai fruits render-
ing the control ineffective (Marsh-Kautz and Singeo, 1999 ). During their 1999
research, Marsh-Kautz and Singeo heard of several other local attempts to keep
the animals out of gardens and away from houses. These include ringing large
metal bells, placing scarecrows in gardens, and tying up dogs in the gardens.
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