Baby Barbary macaques on a cedar tree in the Middle Atlas Mountains (Morocco)- Laura Martinez-Inigo while collaborating with the Barbary Macaque Project
Since 2017, the first week of May is the International Macaque Week. During this week, several conservation organizations from all over the world encourage people to learn more about macaques and the threats they face.
But what is a macaque?
Well, I am sure you already know many of them! Remember those beautiful monkeys taking hot baths in the snow? Japanese macaques. The famous selfie-monkey? A crested macaque. Gibraltar monkeys? Barbary macaques.
Macaques are the most widespread primates on Earth after humans. There are 23 species of them: 22 that you can check in the red list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and another one that was only discovered in 2015. All macaque species live in Asia, except the Barbary macaque, who lives in North Africa and Gibraltar in Europe.
Macaques feed mostly on fruits, but also seeds, leaves, flowers and even some animals such as crabs or small birds. Some even use a rock to shuck oysters!
Macaques live in large groups of tens of individuals with several females and males. They have complex social lives with hierarchies and are very diverse in their looks. For example, many have particular hairstyles, such as the “Beatles hairdo” of the Toque and Bonnet macaques, the Mohawk of the crested macaques, the wild manes of the lion-tailed macaques or the moustaches of the crab-eating macaques (below).
Mother crab-eating macaque with her moustache and baby- Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
What threatens macaques?
Almost all macaque species are currently in decline. The key reasons are:
· Habitat loss and degradation, and fragmentation.
Are the macaques threaten by the COVID-19?
Macaques, like many other primates, can be infected by the new coronavirus because they have the same cell receptor that the virus uses to enter human cells. What we don´t know yet is whether they could catch it from humans and spread it to each other. One risk factor is that many macaques live very close to people and are habituated to interact with them. So, unfortunately, it may not take long until we find out.
Some macaques have felt the impact of COVID-19 in other ways. For example, some populations used to be fed by tourists are now suffering their absence. But the lack of tourism may have different effects. In North Sulawesi, for example, crested macaques are considered a delicacy. Researchers from the area are worried that with local people losing the income from tourism, poaching may raise.
How can I help the macaques?
Donate to any of the organizations actively fighting for macaque conservation.
Remember that macaques, or other monkeys for that matter, are not pets nor photo props. Do not contribute to live trade!
If you see free-ranging macaques, be responsible:
- Do not feed them (even if others are doing it!)
- Keep a distance of at least 5m from them
- Do not make eye contact
If you live in a place where there are conflicts between macaques and people, you might be able to join an organization to help.
Baby crested macaque and her mother in Tangkoko Nature Reserve (Indonesia)-by Laura Martinez-Inigo, while collaborating with Macaca Nigra Project
So what is going on for the International Macaque Week this year?
Usually the organizations that promote the events organize a range of face-to-face activities. This year, with COVID-19, everything is only. You can check it on Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #International Macaque Week.