The Human–Macaque Interface: Conservation Implications of Current and Future Overlap and Conflict in Lore Lindu National Park, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

Here, I examine overlapping resource use of forest and cultivated resources by villagers and tonkean macaques (Macaca tonkeana) in Lore Lindu National Park, Sulawesi, Indonesia. An integrative research design was employed, using methods from primatology and cultural anthropology, in conjunction with quantitative measurements of cacao crop loss. The results indicate that the current patterns of overlapping resource use may not be severely affecting the tonkean macaques or villagers in Lindu. The research does, however, point to possible future difficulty if cacao crop raiding by macaques increases, and as changing socioeconomic trends and loss of traditional folklore result in further modification of macaque habitat. Successful strategies to ameliorate human-macaque conflict may require efforts aimed at the adoption of alternative buffer zone crops that use shade-management systems, the deliberate protection of important macaque food species, and increasing local tolerance to crop raiding by exploring the role of macaques in forest regeneration. [

The value of disturbance-tolerant cercopithecine monkeys as seed dispersers in degraded habitats

“…Indeed their intelligence, the ability of most species to travel quickly on the ground and their cheek pouch use (enabling them to store more food) make them successful crop-raiders (Warren, 2008). The invasion of agricultural and urban areas by cercopithecines is a result of increased urban development (Biquand et al, 1994), natural or human-induced reduction in food supplies in less disturbed areas (Fukuda, 2004;Riley, 2007), increased foraging efficiency in agricultural areas and/or local extinction of the natural predators of cercopithecines (Warren et al, 2011).…”

“…Even in forested areas there frequently exists a high overlap between important food species in cercopithecine and human diets, and therefore negative interactions between them (Kinnaird, 1994;Riley, 2007). However, there is often a mismatch between damage inflicted by animals (e.g., during crop raiding) and that reported or perceived to occur (Lee and Priston, 2005;Riley, 2007). In particular, species that occur in large groups and are visually intimidating are most frequently likely to be perceived as a serious pest, regardless of the amount of damage caused (Hill, 2000;Riley, 2007).…”

“…However, there is often a mismatch between damage inflicted by animals (e.g., during crop raiding) and that reported or perceived to occur (Lee and Priston, 2005;Riley, 2007). In particular, species that occur in large groups and are visually intimidating are most frequently likely to be perceived as a serious pest, regardless of the amount of damage caused (Hill, 2000;Riley, 2007). This negative perception poses a major threat to their conservation (Hill and Webber, 2010;Lee and Priston, 2005).…”

Local People’s Perceptions of Crop Damage by Common Langurs (Semnopithecus entellus) and Human-langur Conflict in Keshabpur of Bangladesh

“…Some fruits and plants were raided throughout the year due to exhibiting no definite fruiting season (e.g., banana and papaya in Java (Soemarwoto, Soemarwoto, Karyono, & Ramlan, 1985); cassava in Sumatra (Nyhus, Tilson, & Sumianto, 2000); immature coconut in Zanzibar (Siex & Struhsaker, 1999); arena palm in Indonesia (Riley, 2007)). However, most fruits (cempedak, jenhko, durian, and petai) were found to be vulnerable mainly during the peak fruiting season (May -August) in Sumatra (Marchal & Hill, 2009).…”

“…Concern is currently growing related to food and other needs of humans that have jeopardized the ability to live in close association with primates (Cowlishaw & Dunbar, 2000;Hill, 2000). To date, crop raiding by wildlife including primates has received a great deal of attention in and around protected areas across Asia and Africa (Agetsuma, 2007;Chhangani & Mohnot, 2004;Hill, 1997;Naughton-Treves, 1998;Pirta, Gadgil, & Kharshikar, 1997;Riley, 2007;Saj, Sicotte & Paterson, 2001;Sarker & Røskaft, 2010;Sarker & Røskaft, 2011b;Strum, 1994;Tweheyo, Hill & Obua, 2005;Webber, Hill, & Reynolds, 2007). Apart from the studies of crop raiding by wildlife, especially Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) around protected areas (Aziz, Feeroz, & Shahriar, 2005;Feeroz, Aziz, Islam, & Islam, 2003;Islam & Al Zabed, 1992;Miah, Rahman, & Ahsan, 2001;Sarker & Røskaft, 2011a) no studies have been conducted on crop damage by primates in human settlements in Bangladesh.…”