Long Tailed Macaque: Macaca Fascicularis, also known as Crab Eating Macaque, additionally known as mangrove monkeys.
This species of small monkey have a range that spans most of Southeast Asia. Mostly found in coastal areas, near mangrove habitats, long tailed macaques are highly adaptive and can also thrive in inland forested areas, as well as within close proximity to urban development.
The conservation status for long tailed macaques ranges from Vulnerable to Least Concern.
Mangrove monkey population in North Jakarta is estimated to be between 100 -250 monkeys. Actually, no one really knows the real number of monkeys, as population counts have never been done.
Public opinion about the macaques range from pest to adoration, with the majority of people likely seeing them as “funny nuisances.”
Fear of monkeys is common, and with good reason. Macaques can be aggressive, likely carriers of several serious diseases, and are unpredictable around humans. Monkey bites on people, and even mortalities, occur annually throughout Southeast Asia. In fact, Bali, Indonesia is reportedly the top spot for macaques attacking people.
It is a fair and accurate assessment to say that the majority of the local population is not greatly concerned with the conservation of monkeys. Still, the macaques are an endearing draw to the mangrove parks for many people, who enjoy watching their foraging and playful antics.
Conflicts occur in several ways. Mainly, people yell at or charge at monkeys to make them move from a certain spot. A combination of close proximity and intentional (or unintentional) provisioning often sets the stage for human versus monkey situations.
An escalation in conflicts could likely lead to human injuries, monkey fatalities, park closures or more long term eradication methods of the macaques (as pest control). The reasons for conflict occurrence and ways to mitigate them are at the heart of my observational study. In short, I hope to learn useful information that may someday save people from injuries or illnesses, and preserve the safety of the monkeys in the endangered mangrove environment.
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