Updates On 8th Jun 2015

WHAT�S A LONE MALE MACAQUE DOING IN TOWN?

The ACRES Macaque Team often receives calls from members of the public reporting sightings of lone male macaques in highly urbanised area. You often hear about or see pictures of them via social media. Too often these images project the wrong message for these highly misunderstood animals. For those who have not seen a wild macaque, they find situations like these very alarming and bizarre. There is an explanation for this.

Do you know that male macaques will leave their natal groups when they reach maturity?

Between the age of four to six years old, males naturally emigrate with groups of their peers to find a new family. They will either join bachelor groups or new social groups. Since males leave their natal group, they are subjected to higher predation, disease and injury as compared to females.

Once a male finds a new group, he may replace some of the existing high-ranking males. Within groups, a strict linear dominance hierarchy develops among males. This hierarchy is determined by factors such as age, size and fighting skills.

So, when we look at the rapid urbanisation taking place in Singapore, a lone male macaque will need to cross many urbanised areas as a form of corridor before he can reach a new forest � the natural habitat for macaques. They do travel quite a distance.

Members of the public are advised to avoid feeding, coming into close contact with or taking close up photographs of these migrating males. They are also advised not to stare at or make any attempt to strike the macaques. All of these distractions will delay a male macaque�s process of migration and cause human-macaque conflict.

But, with the right education and tolerance; when we provide a safe and respectable buffer space, the migrating males will gradually move on and find their way to their new home in the forest.

The next time you spot a lone male macaque, you can follow the advice as described above (and encourage others to do the same), but if you still have concerns you can inform the ACRES 24-Hour Wildlife Rescue Hotline on 97837782.

Spread the word and YOU can play an important role in aiding the macaques find their new home!

#ACRES #SaveSgMonkeys

Source: https://www.facebook.com/ACRESasia/photos/a.223077136522.136..

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ACRES (Animal Concerns Research & Education Society) is a pioneering Singapore-based charity and Institution of Public Character, founded by Singaporeans in 2001 with the aim of promoting animal welfare.

ACRES has six focus areas: Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation, Wildlife Crime Investigation, Zoo Animal Welfare, Humane Education, Community Outreach and Promoting Cruelty-Free Living.

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