Mortality of primates due to roads and power lines in two forest patches in Bangladesh

Abstract

Primates are in imminent risk of extinction due to different types of anthropogenic activities. Mortality due to road accidents and electrocution from power lines are among the major direct anthropogenic threats to the survival of primates. We collected primate mortality data from 2015 to 2017 at Lawachara National Park and Satchari National Park in northeastern Bangladesh. We recorded 27 fatalities in five species of primates caused by road accidents (n = 15) and electrocution (n = 12). Most mortality records were for Trachypithecus phayrei (Blyth, 1847) (n = 8) while the lowest recorded mortality was for Macaca mulatta (Zimmermann, 1780) (n = 3). Ninety percent of primates in Bangladesh are threatened and populations are gradually declining. Our results suggest that roads and power supply lines are major sources of primate mortality that should be managed in these two forests. We strongly suggest avoiding construction of roads and power supply lines inside forests. Furthermore, control of the speed limit of vehicles inside the forests, use of insulated power lines, maintenance of natural canopy bridges and preparation of artificial canopy bridges are strongly recommended.

Asian primates in fragments: Understanding causes and consequences of fragmentation, and predicting primate population viability

“…primates that consume such foods. Observations regarding this problem have been noted in the northern plains sacred langur (Chhangani, 2004) and the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta; Pragatheesh, 2011) in India, as well as in the long-tailed macaque and northern pig-tailed macaque in Thailand (pers. obs.…”

Shields on Electric Posts Prevent Primate Deaths: A Case Study at Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka

“…Electrocution hotspots are common in towns and along rural roads where macaques are attracted by human food scraps, crops, and fruit trees and aggressive competition for food can occur at high rates at such spots [Southwick et al, 1976;Singh, 2019]. The shield design, therefore, may have a more general application, not only for macaques but also other ground-and tree-dwelling primates that face this threat in their environments [Boinski et al, 1998;Printes, 1999;Goulard et al, 2010;Lokschin et al, 2007;Maibeche et al, 2015;Ram et al, 2015;Al-Razi et al, 2019]. The shield design is suited for single posts (Fig.…”

“…The expansion of human activity into wilderness areas brings in its wake ever increasing conflict between wildlife and humans, one aspect of which includes the electrocution of animals on power lines. Electrocutions have been documented for Asian elephants [Palei et al, 2014], raptors worldwide [Jenkins et al, 2010;Guil et al, 2011] as well as primates in Africa [Maibeche et al, 2015;Katsis et al, 2018], Latin America [Printes, 1999;Goulart et al, 2010;Rodrigues and Martinez, 2014], and Asia [Dittus, 1986;Rudran, 2007;Moore et al, 2010;Kumar and Kumar, 2015;Ram et al, 2015;Al-Razi et al, 2019]. To mitigate such events among primates, a variety of protective measures have been suggested including canopy bridges over power lines, tree trimming, wire insulation, and braiding of power lines [Valladares-Padua et al, 1995;Printes, 1999;Lokschin et al, 2007;Roscoe et al, 2013;Teixeira et al, 2013;Gregory et al, 2017].…”

Density of Nocturnal Mammals in a Forest Patch in Bangladesh

“…The relative humidity fluctuates between 74% to 90% [43]. Biological diversity in Satchari is very rich [44,45]. About 167 plant species, 149 species of birds and 24 species of mammals have been recorded from the area [46].…”