27-05-2025
KFRI begins Statewide macaque population study
In quiet temple courtyards, bustling market streets, and forest-fringe villages of Kerala, a familiar face is becoming a cause for growing concern. The bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata) endemic to peninsular India is now at the centre of escalating human-wildlife conflicts (HWC).
In Kerala, these primates are involved in over 15% of all reported human-wildlife conflict incidents, ranging from crop damage and property destruction to aggressive encounters and health concerns.
In response, the Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) has launched a Statewide initiative to map the distribution and population of these macaques, aiming at understanding and managing their increasing interactions with humans.
Led by Peroth Balakrishnan, Head of the Department of Wildlife Biology at the KFRI, and funded by the Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department, the project takes a comprehensive approach. 'The bonnet macaque is not just a victim of habitat loss, it's a symbol of how human-dominated landscapes are reshaping wildlife behaviour and distribution,' said Dr. Balakrishnan. 'Our study is designed to go beyond just numbers; we aim at understanding the social, ecological, and cultural dimensions of the conflict and developing actionable strategies for peaceful coexistence.'
Vulnerable category
Once listed as a species of Least Concern, the bonnet macaque has now been moved to the Vulnerable category on the IUCN Red List following sharp population decline and local extinctions.
The project aims at mapping spatial distribution of bonnet macaques across Kerala, estimating their population size and trends, identifying conflict hotspots using field data and community input, understanding local perceptions, assessing both old and new conflict mitigation methods, and developing evidence-based policies for long-term human-macaque conflict management.
Though several conflict mitigation efforts have been tried in Kerala and beyond, most had limited impact. Population control is often proposed as a solution, but experts stress that before considering measures such as culling, sterilisation, hormonal or immunocontraception, it is essential to identify high-conflict groups and carry out scientific population assessment.
An estimate from 1981 suggests that Kerala has around 11,000 bonnet macaques in 500 troops across rural and urban areas. The general wildlife surveys never considered primate population outside forest areas. This study is designed to fill that critical gap, providing the scientific and ethical foundation needed for informed management decisions.
Fieldwork will span both commensal habitats (urban temples, villages, towns) and semi-commensal areas (sacred groves, forest roads, canal banks), using a combination of roadside and random path surveys, stakeholder interviews, and participatory mapping with local communities and forest officials.
Changes in interaction
Sheheer T.A., a PhD scholar at KFRI researching bonnet macaque behaviour, pointed to worrying changes in how these monkeys interact with people. 'In many forest-edge and tourist areas, people started feeding macaques—often out of kindness or curiosity. Over time, the monkeys began to expect it, acting as if human food was their right,' he said. 'When tourists disappear and food handouts stop, they turn to raiding nearby homes. It shows just how deeply, and sometimes dangerously, human habits are shaping wildlife behaviour.'
'Kerala's human-animal conflict landscape is evolving rapidly, and solutions must be rooted in science, compassion, and cooperation and not retaliation or resentment,' added Dr. Balakrishnan. 'Through this approach, we need to set a model for managing primate-human interactions, one that can inform efforts not only in Kerala but across southern India,' he added.
People can contact KFRI team at 99611 96526 if they encounter a bonnet macaque troop.
