Last month, a toque macaque monkey was blamed for an islandwide power failure. The sensational news made global headlines and highlighted Sri Lanka’s escalating issue with the macaque-human conflict.
Managing the monkeys looks bleak. Suggestions for culling and exporting macaques were heavily opposed by environmentalists and animal-rights groups.
Just three weeks ago, a pilot project to sterilise toque macaques in several areas were halted. The shortage of veterinary surgeons to carry out the operations and the high cost of transporting monkeys, were cited as the main reasons why the project was brought to a halt.
Dr. Ravindra Kariyawasam
The Sunday Observer spoke to environmentalist Dr. Ravindra Kariyawasam to understand how the authorities are fighting this seemingly unwinnable war against a primate.
The number of macaques hasn’t been counted since 2020, he said and added that there were three types of toque macaques endemic to Sri Lanka– dry zone toque macaque, wet zone toque macaque and the highland toque macaque.
“The problem we have is with the dry zone toque macaque since the wet zone and highland subspecies have sufficient habitat to have any sort of conflict with humans”, he said.
The underlying issue here is that there has been a significant change in the diet of the dry zone macaques – drawing them out of their habitats for easy pickings.
“The monkeys are attracted to discarded food. This is especially significant in popular temples where a lot of fruits and flowers brought by pilgrims are thrown,” he said highlighting a major example.
They are also attracted to agricultural lands. Years ago, farming was a multi-culture; there were crops that macaques did and didn’t like. “But now we have many monocultures that attract troupes of monkeys. “Human behaviour, the change in the habits of monkeys and agriculture are responsible for this issue, so we can’t look at it from one angle,” he said.
Identifying the number
There are scientific methods of calculating fauna but are not accurate. However, they are good enough to get an idea on the number of animals , he said.
The widely used sampling method to count macaques is called ‘Transect Sampling’.
“You take a specific zone and lay out transecting lines. For example, you take Line 1 and I take Line 2 and we both count the number of animals we see within a definite distance. We collect the data and statistically analyse it to figure how many macaques are in an area,” he said.
When the number of animals is calculated, the authorities brainstorm on how to best manage the number. “Culling monkeys is out of the question because the idea of killing these animals is abhorrent to our culture,” he said. However, Dr. Kariyawasam said that both the public and scientists agree that the number of these animals must be controlled but any method of control would take at least five years to take effect.
A chemical sterilisation method would take subsequent generations to show results. But sadly, the public is not ready to wait that long and demand instant solutions. “So we are stuck”, he said.
Controlling food sources
On querying what the first step would be to end the menace, he said, “Initially, we had to identify where the monkeys gather and found that they come to temples that dispose a lot of offerings brought to the temples”.
According to Dr. Kariyawasam, the first step is to remove the food sources. This can be done by educating the temple authorities on how best these offerings such as fruits and flowers could be disposed.
“The correct disposal method would be to remove the plastic wrapping and dump the food in designated areas,” he said thus creating a definite feeding ground for macaques and other fauna; leaving little room for conflict with humans.
These are primates and they have a good memory. Creating such feeding grounds would help condition their behaviour and eating habits . However, the plan would require community support and this should go along with initiatives such as recycling.
Responding to a query as to how regional countries had control over their issues with regard to monkeys encroaching human habitations, Dr. Kariywasam said the Forest and Wildlife Department of India led a joint program that was successful and suggested that this was also the way forward for Sri Lanka.
The Indians carried out long-term studies. They also considered exporting apes to China but were met with a huge backlash because the monkeys are revered in Indian beliefs. The resulting action plan has controlled the number of monkeys to a certain extent.
“The first step is managing their food sources. In the long-term it is by using pharmaceutical methods to sterilise the animals. These methods have been used in India and have been successful,” he said.
Despite, South Asian cultures which perceive killing animals as ‘bad karma’, many cultures around the world see hunting and culling as completely normal and as a part of conservation.
For example, there is culling of swine in Italy once a year and this is scientifically sound, he said. “That’s why we need another approach such as sterilisation”, he added.
On asking the authorities if hunting was legalised for the Veddahs, since the practice is part of their culture, he said, “Although we discuss things in theory, it’s hard to put it into practise. You go to Mahiyangana today and you find the Veddahs cooking soy meat. So, we can see that their eating habits have changed. The reason maybe these laws. If you go to Dambana, the shops sell sausages and meatballs. They will only go hunting if they are paid for the bush meat”.
Obesity is a problem
Obesity is a problem among indigenous populations worldwide, especially those who have lived by hunting and foraging for their food. Since agriculture wasn’t a facet in their culture, these people cannot processes carbohydrates like the rest of us and are susceptible to various co-morbidities.
When asked if the Laws could be changed so that the Veddahs could go back to their traditional lifestyles, Dr Kariyawasam said, “There are protected species in our conservation Laws. The ‘Macaca sinica sinica’ (dry zone macaque) are endemic to Sri Lanka. We have a scientific reason not to kill them. I too believe that they should be allowed to practise their traditional way of life; they have indigenous knowledge about the wilderness. But as the bushmeat trade exists, they will take it up as a business and practise it not just for personal consumption”.
It is impossible for the State to find a solution on its own. Collective effort and brainstorming is important in overcoming this issue, he said, adding, “The two metrics we have to understand here are forest cover and the food sources. Once they are collated it will be easy to zero in. However, there are no instant solutions. We can however, control the problem in five years if we begin now”.
