Arunachal Macaque (Macaca Munzala)

Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 200524240

Conservation status, distribution and conservation of endangered Arunachal macaque in Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhutan

Generally, in Bhutan Primates are poorly studied as they are given least attention by the conservationist and considered as a menace by the farmers due to the prevailing human-primate conflict. The Arunachal macaque is no exception as it known to cause considerable damage to crops of the farmers. On other hand habitat fragmentation from construction of farm roads and power transmission lines in their habitat are emerging. Therefore, it is felt that an immediate study on the species is needed with the overall goal to reliably assess its conservation status and to simultaneously build empirical database on the species with regards to ecological and conservation threats. The overall objectives of the studies are; 1) Understand the distribution pattern of Arunachal macaque in the sanctuary, 2) know the threats to conservation of the species in sanctuary and 3) determine people’s attitude towards the species in the area and sensitize them on the importance of conservation of species.