Hunting threatens N. Sulawesi's macaques<\/p>\n
By Fachruddin Mangunjaya<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Hunting is having a devastating effect upon the
\nwild population of the crested black macaque (Macaca nigra)
\noutside of the Tangkoko Nature Reserve in North Sulawesi.<\/p>\n
\"This monkey, which is endemic to Sulawesi, is being hunted
\nprimarily for food, as well as for pets,\" Robert Lee, a student
\nof anthropology of the University of Oregon, who conducted a
\nsurvey in the Manembonembo Nature Reserve, said.<\/p>\n
His survey, which was presented at the XVth International
\nCongress of Primatology in Kuta, Bali, in July indicated that
\nthis species is threatened not only by hunting and live trapping,
\nbut also by habitat disturbances.<\/p>\n
The Manembonembo Nature Reserve (6,500 hectares) constitutes
\none of the largest areas the Macaca nigra occupies outside the
\ncontiguous reserves of Tangkoko-Duasaudara-Batuangus in North
\nSulawesi.<\/p>\n
A population survey conducted by Sugarjito in 1988 showed
\nthere were 2,502 of the macaques in Manembonembo. Lee's surveys
\nin 1993 and 1994 concluded only 1,486 remain.<\/p>\n
\"This shows an overall decrease by 59 percent in six years,\"
\nLee says.<\/p>\n
\"If the PHPA forest concessionaire does not patrol this area,
\nthe population will be extinct very soon,\" he adds.<\/p>\n
Lee found that on average one household around the
\nManembonembo area eats approximately six monkeys per year. Up to
\n72 percent of the respondents who live in the villages
\nsurrounding Manembonembo said they consumed monkeys. That means
\nthe villages around Manembonembo consume 1,240 Macaca nigra per
\nyear, he said.<\/p>\n
However, Lee stated that this is only a preliminary study.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian government has declared the Macaca nigra a
\nprotected species, so why are the crested black macaques hunted
\nat such a high rate?<\/p>\n
Lee has given three reasons. First, the current law
\nenforcement by the PHPA concessionaire is not sufficient. Whereas
\npatrolling needs to take place on a systematic basis, there is
\nthe problem of shortage of personnel, improper training and lack
\nof incentives.<\/p>\n
Second, it is not surprising that the local people eat the
\nmonkey given their economic circumstances. Unless there is a
\nprogram to provide cheap courses of meat, hunting will continue.<\/p>\n
Third, protein requirement is not all that is involved.<\/p>\n
\"They eat monkey because they do not realize the consequences
\nof their behavior and people do not know that various animals are
\nprotected,\" Lee said.<\/p>\n
F. Mangunjaya is managing editor of Conservation Indonesia
\nJournal, WWF Indonesia Program, Jakarta.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/hunting-threatens-n-sulawesis-macaques-1447893297",
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