Rhesus macaque population control methods proposed in recent study

A recent study published by the Wildlife Institute of India highlights the growing negative encounters between humans and animals, suggesting long-term solutions like population control measures, while stressing the importance of ongoing research.

The WII team, led by Professor Qamar Qureshi, began by studying the population ecology of four species: rhesus macaques, nilgai, wild pigs, and Asiatic elephants. The study areas included locations in Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka.

In states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Kerala, conflicts with animals such as rhesus macaques and wild boars have escalated to a critical level, leading to these animals being labeled as pests and proposals for their culling.

The Wildlife Institute of India, after three years of study, has proposed humane solutions like immuno-contraception for controlling the population of the most conflict-prone species. The species studied were the rhesus macaque, nilgai, wild pig, and elephant.

The researchers at the Wildlife Institute of India clarify that the current project’s goal was to gather foundational information for potential future strategies. Vishnupriya Kolipakam, a researcher involved in the study, stated that the project was planned as a minimum 10-year project, not a short-term study for immediate field implementation.

Study on macaques’ ecology near WII

Researchers at the Wildlife Institute of India are conducting a study on the biology and ecology of Rhesus Macaques in the 5 km radius around the institute in Uttarakhand. The study area encompasses a mix of human habitats, farmlands, urban forest patches, and a national park, with notable human influence like open sewage and garbage dumps attracting macaques.

The population status and demography of Rhesus Macaques are being investigated using distance sampling techniques through trail-transect surveys. The study area is divided into sixteen square grids, and transects are laid out, covering various habitats. The researchers use laser-equipped range finders, magnetic compasses, and electronic GPS to record data during the surveys.

The obtained distance sampling data are analyzed using the R Distance package, revealing insights into population density and distribution patterns. The study identifies a presence of approximately 143 macaques per square kilometer, with varying densities across different seasons.

To standardize abundance estimation methods, researchers are exploring genec-based mark-recapture techniques, comparing them against traditional line-transect surveys. The non-invasive genec sampling method involves collecting fecal samples to identify individuals based on DNA genotyping.

The study, spanning from June 2021 to March 2022, aims to understand the accuracy and precision of abundance estimation methods. A total of 1078 fecal samples have been collected, providing valuable data for ongoing research at the Wildlife Institute of India.

WII proposes population control for macaques

The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, proposed a solution to the “macaque problem” on their campus. Instead of simply moving the troublesome macaques elsewhere, they suggested controlling the population. This idea was submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), who believed it could be applied to other species as well.

The report suggests various population control methods depending on several factors like movement pattern, population, sex ratios, age structure, and estimated rate of increase of the species. These methods include mass capture and surgical sterilisation for rhesus macaques; immuno-contraception for Asiatic elephants; and mass capture and release for wild pigs and nilgai.

Rhesus macaques are social creatures that form large groups, with bigger groups in cities and smaller ones in natural habitats. They can adapt to different environments and use various resources. The groups include both males and females, with females having a hierarchy based on family ties.

To handle conflicts, it’s important to understand their behavior. Researchers at the Wildlife Institute of India study their behavior every two weeks, observing them throughout the day in different seasons. They focus on behaviors like being still, aggressive, moving, eating, grooming, and mating. The groups are divided into adult males, adult females, young ones, and babies.

They study the macaques’ eating habits by watching what they eat, like plants, insects, and human waste. The data shows that macaques spend more time eating human waste because it’s easy to find and gives them more energy.

The paper’s authors mention that elephant-caused damage in South India’s Kodagu and Hassan is more severe than that caused by other species studied. However, Kolipakam reassures that this project is just an initial step in exploring potential interventions, having studied these species’ population ecology.

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