Why in NEWS
Kerala is exploring mass sterilisation of Bonnet Macaques (Macaca radiata) to manage their growing population, which is increasingly leading to human-wildlife conflicts, especially in urban and agricultural areas.
Key Terms and Concepts
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Bonnet Macaque | A primate species native to southern India, named for the bonnet-shaped tuft of hair on its head. Found in forests, urban and rural habitats. |
| Mass Sterilisation | A wildlife management strategy involving surgical sterilisation of animals to control population growth without killing. |
| Human-Wildlife Conflict | Situations where wild animals pose a threat to human life, livelihood, or property, especially in shared spaces. |
| Sympatric Species | Species that live in the same geographic area and may interact; macaques can recognize alarm calls of other primates like Hanuman langurs. |
Bonnet Macaque: Key Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Evergreen and dry deciduous forests, as well as urban, suburban, and agricultural areas of southern India. |
| Physical Features | Characterised by a distinctive whorl of hair on its head resembling a bonnet. |
| Reproduction | Females mature at 3 years, first birth at 4 years, gestation lasts ~24 weeks, infants nurse for 6–7 months. |
| Lifespan & Social Grouping | Live in multi-male, multi-female troops of ~30; infants remain close to mothers for a year. |
| Behaviour | Arboreal and terrestrial quadrupeds; diurnal (active during the day). |
| Communication | Use vocal, tactile, and visual signals; capable of interspecies alarm recognition. |
| Feeding Habits | Omnivorous—eat fruits, leaves, insects, bird eggs, lizards; near humans, raid trash and offerings. |
| Conservation Status | Schedule I (Wildlife Protection Act, 1972), IUCN: Vulnerable |
In a Nutshell (Memory Code: MACAQUE)
M – Multi-male, multi-female troops
A – Arboreal & terrestrial
C – Conflicts with humans
A – Alarm calls understood interspecies
Q – Quadrupeds active in day
U – Urban and forest habitats
E – Eating omnivorously
UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
- Bonnet Macaques are listed under which schedule of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972?
a) Schedule II
b) Schedule III
c) Schedule I
d) Schedule IV - Consider the following statements about Bonnet Macaques:
- They are nocturnal and feed only on fruits.
- They are capable of recognizing alarm calls of other primate species.
Which of the above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
- Which of the following correctly describes “sympatric species”?
a) Species found only in zoos
b) Species that live in separate regions and never interact
c) Species living in the same area and potentially interacting
d) Species that are genetically modified for coexistence
Prelims Answer Key and Explanation
| Qn | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | c) | Bonnet macaques are protected under Schedule I, indicating the highest level of legal protection. |
| 2 | b) | They are diurnal (not nocturnal) and omnivorous. They do recognize alarm calls of sympatric species. |
| 3 | c) | Sympatric species live in the same geographical area and often interact. |
