Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
geographic distribution over the last several centuries. Population estimates
are unclear, but they appear to show a declining number in natural habitats
(i.e., where there is no or little human influence) and potentially an increase
along human settlements. Since population status is not well known, better
knowledge of wild macaque populations will be necessary, as we need to
ensure that populations are not damaged by uncontrolled exploitation from
their use in the animal trade and pest removal programs. A species like this
will require sophisticated organizations to handle and manage their popula-
tion, similar to the game commissions that manage ungulates and other com-
mon large mammals in many developed nations. It is interesting to speculate
why an animal that is so conspicuous and has had such a large impact on
humanity still remains so poorly understood and unmanaged. Nonetheless, it
is clear we can no longer ignore this species' large impact, close relationship
and importance to humanity, and during the 21st century, we will likely need
to consider them, not as an unimportant pest, but rather as one of the major
foci for wildlife management efforts across Southeast Asia.
Acknowledgements
I would like to give special thanks to those participating in the Macaca fascicu-
laris workshop at the 30th Meeting of American Society of Primatologist in
2007 and also to those in attendance at the pre-congress workshop and round-
table meeting at the 22nd Congress of the International Primatological Society.
Discussion with these participants formed the foundation for the writing of this
chapter. Research used for the preparation of this paper has been supported by
a Fulbright Graduate Fellowship, a Howard-Hughes Postdoctoral Fellowship
at Hiram Collage, the HSS Staff Development Fund, and Tier 1 Grant RG
95/07 from the Ministry of Education, Singapore.
References
Aggimarangsee, N. 1992. Survey for semi-tame colonies of macaques in Thailand.
Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society 40 : 103-166.
Aimi, M., Bakar, A. and Supriatna, J. 1982. Morphological variation of the crab-
eating macaque, Macaca fascicularis (Raffles, 1821), in Indonesia. Kyoto
University Overseas Research Report of Studies on Asian Non-Human Primates
2 : 51-56.
Anonymous. 1993. Wildlife Protection Act 1972 (amended 1993). Government of
India, New Dehli.
Atran, S. 2002. In Gods We Trust: The Evolutionary Landscape of Religion . Oxford
University Press.
Search WWH ::




Custom Search