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Macaque–Human Interactions in Past and Present-Day Sri Lanka

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The Macaque Connection

Part of the book series: Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects ((DIPR,volume 43))

Abstract

Sri Lanka’s toque macaque is an endemic endangered species. Current information about the nature and diversity of their interactions with humans are limited. We conducted 307 interviews across the country using a standardized questionnaire to help clarify this. Overall, 51% believed that primate numbers were increasing, but trends varied regionally, with some provinces reporting noticeable decreases in monkey sightings while others reported increased visits by monkeys to garden plots. This may be due to variation in the intensity of human development and forest fragmentation either forcing primates closer to human habitation in search of food or driving them closer to local extinction in more developed urban and industry based provinces. This terrestrial, omnivorous species is considered a pest. For the most part they are tolerated, but in certain provinces they are responsible for significant economic damage to crops, and are treated more severely. Both Buddhists and Hindus treat macaques with reverence, and they are particularly visible in the vicinity of temples and historical areas because of a continuous supply of religious food offerings, from which feeding on is tolerated. The killing of any wild animal, including primates is against the law and prohibited by religious beliefs. Nonetheless, hunting for food and a rich belief array of medicinal and ritual uses was reported to occur at very low frequency in rural areas

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Acknowledgments

The information presented adhered to all national laws of Sri Lanka in which the research was conducted. The authors thank HOPE Project, a core-to-core program sponsored by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), for travel funds to carry out the 2006, 2007, and 2009 field visits. We are grateful to our friends and colleagues, Nadeera Kuruppu, Tharindi Weerasingha, Nelum Yapa, Sisira Siriwardene, and Prof. Singha Kumara, for their assistance and guidance in the field and in Colombo. We give special thanks to Dr. Janet Nackoney for producing Fig. 9.2.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Gangodawila, Nugegoda, Colombo, Sri Lanka

    Charmalie A. D. Nahallage

  2. Department of Social Systems Evolution, Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, 41-2 Kanrin, Inuyama, Aichi, 484-8506, Japan

    Michael A. Huffman

Authors
  1. Charmalie A. D. Nahallage
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  2. Michael A. Huffman
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Correspondence to Charmalie A. D. Nahallage .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, India

    Sindhu Radhakrishna

  2. Kyoto University, Primate Research Institute, 41-2 Kanrin, Inuyama, 484-8506, Aichi, Japan

    Michael A. Huffman

  3. National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore, India

    Anindya Sinha

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Nahallage, C.A.D., Huffman, M.A. (2013). Macaque–Human Interactions in Past and Present-Day Sri Lanka. In: Radhakrishna, S., Huffman, M., Sinha, A. (eds) The Macaque Connection. Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects, vol 43. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3967-7_9

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