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A recent study highlights the growing threat to the critically endangered lion-tailed macaque due to increased human-wildlife interaction
The lion-tailed macaque, is increasingly interacting with humans, especially due to food provisioning and tourism.
This behavior poses significant risks to the species' survival, including malnutrition, disease, and road accidents.
Lion-tailed Macaque
The lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus), also known as the wanderoo, is an Old World monkey
Endemic to the Western Ghats of South India
Lion-tailed macaques are covered in black fur, and have a striking gray or silver mane that surrounds their face which can be found in both sexes, earns it the nickname "beard ape."
One of the smallest macaque species, it weighs 2–10 kg, has a body length of 42–61 cm, and a 25 cm tail
Lion-tailed macaques, living mostly in the upper canopy of tropical moist evergreen forests
Primarily feed on fruits and seeds but also consume leaves, buds, insects, and small vertebrates
Overall, their communication system contains as many as 17 vocalisations.
Conservation Status:
IUCN Red List: Endangered
CITES: Appendix I
The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
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