PREVIOUSLY UNREPORTED POPULATION OF RHESUS MACAQUES Macaca mulatta IN CHIANG RAI PROVINCE, THAILAND: PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.

Abstract

Efforts to document the distribution of macaques in Thailand have been gradually improving over the past several years. Here we add to the growing database with a summary of a previously unreported population of Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta located at Wat Phrabuddhabat Pa Reau in Chiang Rai Province. This work is part of an on-going study addressing human-primate conflict and coexistence in Thailand. The Wat covers an area of about 53 ha consisting of forest and ponds surrounded by an agricultural/rural residential area. The macaques receive some provisioning by the monks, nuns, local residents and occasional tourists. We conducted observations of the macaques and queried the monks, nuns and local residents during 20-21 November 2015 and 22-23 July 2016. Those queried reported population sizes ranging between "100" and "2000" monkeys and 1-4 groups. Based on our observations, we identified at least two groups of approximately 55 and 44 monkeys. All individuals queried reported crop raiding and expressed concern over an "increasing" monkey population and need for effective population management. We plan to follow up with a more intensive survey of this population to better assess conservation concerns, human-primate interaction, and options for healthy coexistence.