The observation began with the full troop foraging along the waterside of the park's main pathway. The long-tailed macaques were clustered together, which made the population count fairly easy. There are currently 26 members of Troop Bravo - the highest population I've ever recorded for them.
Mal is still leading the troop. Balls, his Second, seemed a bit on edge, though. There's definitely tension in the social structure likely due to having 5 babies (2 of which look freshly born).
The baby boom tests the friendships and hierarchy, especially between reproductive females. Some loud and flamboyant arguments erupted today when new mothers felt other females encroaching. Proximity to the baby triggered the shrieking warnings. However, these were few and very brief disagreements. No real harm done.
The young adult male who normally leads the vanguard overwatch seems to have been replaced by a sub adult female. I'll be watching who is up in the high branches more closely during the next few observations.
All in all, it felt great to be out in the field again. The past month (nearly) saw me knocked down with a rough bout of bronchitis. I suffer from chronic bronchitis, but this round was harsh with a week's worth of fever and respiratory issues. I am finally feeling mostly ok again.
Interesting side notes: verified sightings of several crocodiles have been documented near and around the mangrove waterways.
Park management is building an amazing, and oddly grandiose treehouse very near the macaques' lair. I'm still trying to figure out what it'll be used for.
Wet Season will be coming to an end soon. It always changes the troop's foraging behaviors.
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