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Human-rhesus Monkey Conflict at Rampur Village Under Monohardi Upazila in NARSingdi District of Bangladesh

M. Farid Ahsan
Department of Zoology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh

M. Mazbah Uddin
Department of Zoology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong 4331, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Rhesus Macaque is largely vegetarian and its diet includes leaves, flowers, fruits, berries, plants, seeds, grains and grasses, pond algae, insects, spiders and crabs (Blanford 1888–91; Roonwal & Mohnot 1977; Ahsan 1984, 1994). In Bangladesh, Ahsan (1984) reported that Rhesus Macaques consumed fruits of 40 different plant species, leaves of 37 species, flowers of 23 species, buds of 20 species, stipules of six species, juice of four species, petioles of three species, young shoot and seed of one species. Damage to agricultural crops have been reported and have become a serious management problem involving many wildlife species in different parts of the world (Chalise 1997 in Nepal; Miah et al. 2001 in Bangladesh). Rhesus Macaques raid jackfruits during April and May, targeting mature and ripe fruits and sometimes the jackfruits and pineapples (Annona sativus) are left scratched and/or half-eaten (Aziz & Feeroz 2007) and they also damage bananas (Miah et al. 2001). Conflicts occur when the monkeys try to snatch food and clothes from the local people and from the houses; sometimes they become aggressive and bite people, when they are stopped from taking away food and household items (Devi & Saikia 2008). The adult males are more prone to conflicts with humans than adult females and the conflicts occur when macaques invade human settlements and damage agricultural crops (Devi & Saikia 2008). Habitat destruction, increasing monkey population and improper waste disposal are the major causes of conflicts with humans in Assam in India (Devi & Saikia 2008). In Assam, more than 69% interviewed population preferred translocation of monkeys and about 22% of them suggested that sterilization of male monkeys and some methods of birth control such as immune contraception should be applied for reducing conflicts (Devi & Saikia 2008).

Keywords: Human-Rhesus Monkey conflict, Monohardi Upazila, Narsingdi District, Bangladesh

Location: Monohardi Upazila in Narsingdi District of Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Monkey

Objectives:

The major objectives of the study were to: (i) know the major food species of Rhesus monkeys in the study area; (ii) find out the crops damaged by the monkeys; (iii) assess crop damage; (iv) determine possible causes for human-monkey conflicts; and (v) point out possible conservation measures in the study area.

Methodology:

Methods: The following methods were employed in this study:

Group size and composition: One group of Rhesus Macaques was studied and its group size and composition were recorded from April to September 2012. The macaques were observed with naked eyes. Four age-sex classes were recognized to characterize macaques: adult male, adult female, juvenile and infant (Southwick et al. 1961). The group size was counted once in a month either during morning (0600–0090 h) and/or late hours of daylight (1500–1800 h) especially when they were crossing a road and/or open field.

Data collection: Information on human-Rhesus monkey conflict was collected through filling in a self-prepared questionnaire survey in Rampur Village. A total of 40 persons were randomly selected for the interview. The aims and objectives of the study were explained to the interviewees to establish rapport and to gain their confidence for participating in this research. The interviewees were the household head, the wife of the household head, or resident adults (>18 years), who were willing to participate in the interview as a representative of the family. Each interview was conducted in Bengali. It took 10-20 minutes to complete one questionnaire.

Source of Information: Journal of Threatened Taxa 26 June 2014 | 6(6): 5905–5908

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11609/JoTT.o3818.5905-8 www.threatenedtaxa.org

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Massive cutting of fruit trees and plantation of exotic commercial species, which do not supply any food to monkeys, have compelled the monkeys to enter into human residential areas and crop fields, and that has created conflicts between humans and monkeys. Some restricted areas (especially government ‘khas’ lands) may be identified and planted with some fruiting trees for the survival of monkeys and for reducing conflicts with humans.

Knowledge Management: Journal