Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
human-macaque interface is complex, with multiple mandates that may at times
conflict. Governmental responsibilities include supporting economic growth,
promoting public health, and conserving natural resources, including wildlife.
Moreover, issues arising at the human-macaque interface can fall under the
jurisdiction of more than one government agency, such as wildlife, housing,
parks, forestry, health, trade, tourism, and others. The government may also be
called upon to mediate between nongovernmental groups.
At the regional level, governments can coordinate with each other and per-
haps with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to define priorities for the
conservation and management of macaques. Optimally, this should include
acquiring and harnessing data that inform cohesive, overarching, long-term
strategies and policies that support sustainable human-macaque coexistence at
the interface. These policies should set the stage for individual communities'
policies regarding specific populations of macaques. NGOs can assist com-
munities by providing resources that support these policies. Governments also
have a role in marshalling and distributing resources that further conservation
goals. As governments benefit from tax revenue generated from the lucrative
sale of macaques to the biomedical industry, it can be argued that these mon-
ies should be used by governments to promote research and conservation of
free-ranging macaque populations. In Mauritius, some revenue from macaque
sales has been invested in general conservation (see Padayatchy, Chapter 9),
but we have yet to see a program where the funds generated from macaque
trade actually go towards the many needs of macaque populations. Such fund-
ing is particularly important for a species such as the long-tailed macaque that
is relatively common, as NGOs and governmental organizations are generally
most disposed to fund programs aimed at endangered species.
As long-tailed macaques thrive in “edge” environments, governments can
use this ecological predisposition to attempt to control ranging patterns. The
government can use land development policy to create “buffer zones” around
forest edges and farms, prioritizing the planting of crops unlikely to attract
long-tailed macaques to these areas. Similarly, government can restrict devel-
opment of residential properties in areas near macaque ranges. In residential
areas already established near macaque habitat, governmental regulations can
mandate building standards (see above) that take into account the presence of
macaques. Government can also promote awareness of macaque conservation/
management issues in areas that abut macaque habitats.
Particularly in densely settled areas at the human-macaque interface, gov-
ernment agencies are frequently called on to address complaints of citizens
bothered by macaques (Sha
et al
.,
2009b
). Such complaints can be filed dir-
ectly with government agencies, or can be directed through the media. Pressure
