Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Considerations regarding the human infrastructure
After access to refuse by macaques is eliminated, other aspects of the land-
scape can be considered. For example, fences and walls should be built to
make it difficult for macaques to utilize them for locomotion. Fences and walls
should be smooth, without possible handholds or tops that can be easily walked
on and, where possible, electrification or motion-triggered water spurts can be
installed to startle and repel macaques. Doors and windows can be specifically
monkey-proofed to prevent macaques from entering dwellings. People who
live within macaque ranges should be advised to keep windows and outside
doors monkey-proofed or closed. Without such precautions, once macaques
learn they can enter a home and find food, they will continually return to the
home to forage, causing conflict with occupants. Doors should self-close, so
people do not accidently leave them open. Buildings should be difficult to
scale, and projections that could be used as handholds for climbing macaques
should be spaced greater than 1.5 meters apart (i.e., larger than the arm span
of an adult male long-tailed macaque). On buildings where the roof cannot
be adequately protected, shingles or roofing material should be reinforced so
macaques cannot pull off panels, creating leaks. Lastly, homes, yards, and gar-
dens should be enclosed to prevent access by macaques. Walkways and bridges
can be designed with both humans and macaques in mind. Passing within one
meter of a macaque, in a confined space, may be perceived as threatening to
the animal. Therefore, paths and passages should allow people to give adequate
berth to macaques. Walkways should be at least 2.5 meters wide so that a
human can make at least a 1-meter detour around a macaque. In general, alter-
native options (i.e., redundant paths or enclosed walkways) should be avail-
able for foot traffic, especially in areas where people are likely to be carrying
food or bags. In high-interface areas specially trained guards or rangers can be
extremely valuable in assisting people moving around macaques and encour-
aging people to behave responsibly (see Box 6.1 and Box 12.1).
Food and refuse left in open cars attract macaques. Enclosed car parks are
a solution in some areas. In other areas, car owners should be careful to close
car windows and deposit all refuse in macaque-proof bins. In regions where
there are no enclosed car parks and people are concerned with damage to the
appearance of their vehicle by macaques, owners should use a car cover to pro-
tect their vehicle.
The macaque dimension
At the human-macaque interface, human behavior is a major determinant of
macaque behavior. Yet there is often a lack of consensus regarding which
