Here is a video from yesterday's observation. It's a good example of the "non-conflict" interactions between macaques and park staff who are trying to maintain the park and clean up. The staff use arm waving, swinging tree branches and clapping to scare the monkeys away from the groundskeeper's work area.
Still, the aggression level of the macaques is very low. They're used to the interactions, and can easily forage from natural sources (and just come later to raid the garbage cans). Park staff and the regular fishermen are actually quite careful when dealing with the macaques. The groundskeepers work very hard to maintain the park, which is a wonderful place for the public to visit.
On weekdays, the troop pays little attention to my presence, except for a few monkeys who come sit with me (about 2 feet away) and chill for a few minutes. I always remain alert and aware of the proximity of the long-tailed macaques. Safety, theirs and mine, is my main concern. I never touch or feed the monkeys. I always wear a mask during my time in the park. In other news, Mal (troop leader) seems almost fully recovered from his wounds and the population count today came to 23.
The long-tailed macaques seem to be returning to their previous routines.
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