Population and Behavior Surveys of Long-Tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis) in the Old Town, Lopburi Province

Abstract

Long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) in the old town, Lopburi province rapid increase in their number as well nuisance activities. Strategies and management plans of Lopburi province, Thailand need to be developed and enacted in order to remedy some of the problems occurring in human-macaque interface zones. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the macaque number and behavior, a survey on their population number and behavior was conducted from November, 2014 to May, 2015. Population estimation of long-tailed macaque was done by surveying seven macaque groups in the old town, Lopburi province: Prang Sam Yot shrine (GR1) Malai Rama theatre (GR2), Van station (GR3), Chayowanich building (GR4), Muang Thong hotel (GR5), Manora market (GR6) and Sengheng building (GR7). The identified macaque groups were visited during dusk or dawn and visual counts of each group were made carefully from close distance. One-way ANOVA, followed by Least Significant Difference (LSD) method was used for analysis of differences in macaque population number. Total estimated macaque population of seven groups range was between 1,920 and 2,080. Group size ranged from 70 to 700 individuals. Male and female sex ratio was estimated at 1:1.3. Behavior of M. fascicularis was observed by using scan sampling method for 216 hours during November, 2014 to May, 2015. The high levels frequency of behavior between macaque and macaque was feeding (20%) and inactive (29%). Food-related interaction (32%) was the highest frequency of behavior between macaque and human. Results suggested that factors related to macaque number and behavior for could be related to dietary resources. Moreover, feeding, playing, agonistic, moving, defecation and foodrelated interaction behavior were high frequency at period of 9 am. Conflicting, aggression and vocalization behavior were shown the most percentage of behavior frequency at 10 am and 4 pm. This data will be useful for management of respective locales was recommended to formulate practical strategies to avoid or decrease the interaction between macaque and human. The macaque population needs to be monitored and studied in depth to better understand their dynamics and behavioral adaptations to this old town.

Antimicrobial resistance profiles in bacterial species isolated from fecal samples of free-ranging long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) living in Lopburi Old Town, Thailand

“…Seven troops of long-tailed macaques ( M. fascicularis ) living in downtown of Lopburi Province which covered area around 0.09 km 2 were observed. According to the previous studied, the estimated total population of macaques in Old Town Lopburi was 2080 individuals which distributed into seven locations including 700 individuals at Prang Sam Yot Khmer shrine (A: 14°48’10”N 100°36’50”E), 400 individuals at Malai Rama Theater (B: 14°48’5” N, 100° 37’1” E), 100 individuals at Van station (C: 14°48’8” N, 100°36’55” E), 300 individuals at Chayowanich building (D: 14°48’10” N, 100°36’54” E), 150 individuals at Muang Thong hotel (E: 14°48’10”N, 100°36’53” E), 80 individuals at Manora Market (F: 14°48’9” N, 100°36’46” E), and 350 individuals at Seng Heng building (G: 14°48’3”N, 100°36’49” E) [ 1 ]. The mean annual temperature is 28.2°C (24.0-33.8°C), and the annual precipitation amounts to 1125 mm.…”

“…The macaques live freely in the Old Town area; the buildings and ancient structures are their habitats. The macaques are most likely to be found in the downtown areas, including the roadsides and the railway station, as they are frequently fed by local inhabitants and by tourists [ 1 ]. Given the current urban ecosystem, the macaques are almost entirely dependent on food provided by humans for their ongoing survival.…”

Studi Perilaku Monyet Ekor Panjang (Macaca fascicularis) di Bontomarannu Education Park

“…Perilaku merupakan serangkaian tindakan yang dilakukan oleh suatu individu, organisme maupun sistem yang erat hubungannya dengan diri sendiri dan lingkungan sekitar yang dikaji dengan mendalami serangkaian tindakan disebut sebagai etologi [1]. Manusia sebagai makhluk yang diberikan kelebihan sudah semestinya tidak berperilaku sedemikian rupa dan harus bisa mengontrol diri walaupun diakhirat kelak, manusia dan hewan akan ditempatkan bersama [2].…”

“…Rata-rata panjang ekor ini berkisar antara 38,5-64,8 cm dengan panjang ekor pada jantan dan betina antara 40,0-65,5 cm. Monyet ekor panjang (Macaca fascicularis) merupakan satwa asli Asia Tenggara yang sekarang ini persebarannya ada di berbagai tempat di Asia [1].…”

“…Istirahat merupakan periode tidak aktif satwa liar dalam bentuk apapun. Istilah inaktif merupakan kebalikan dari perilaku bergerak atau aktif yang dilakukan oleh hewan untuk memulihkan kembali energi yang dipakai dalam melakukan aktivitasnya lebih lanjut yang umumnya dilakukan pada siang hari pada cabang pohon [18] atau ditempat yang sejuk dan di tajuk-tajuk pohon [1].…”