Association of human disturbance and gastrointestinal parasite infection of yellow baboons in western Tanzania

Human disturbance is an ongoing threat to many wildlife species, manifesting as habitat destruction, resource overuse, or increased disease exposure, among others. With increasing human: non-human primate (NHP) encounters, NHPs are increasingly susceptible to human-introduced diseases, including those with parasitic origins. As such, epidemiology of parasitic disease is becoming an important consideration for NHP conservation strategies. To investigate the relationship between parasite infections and human disturbance we studied yellow baboons (Papio cynocephalus) living outside of national park boundaries in western Tanzania, collecting 135 fresh faecal samples from nine troops occupying areas with varying levels of human disturbance. We fixed all samples in 10% formalin and later evaluated parasite prevalence and abundance (of isotrichid ciliates and Strongylida). We identified seven protozoan and four helminth taxa. Taxa showed varied relationships with human disturbance, baboon troop size and host age. In four taxa, we found a positive association between prevalence and troop size. We also report a trend towards higher parasite prevalence of two taxa in less disturbed areas. To the contrary, high levels of human disturbance predicted increased abundance of isotrichid ciliates, although no relationship was found between disturbance and Strongylida abundance. Our results provide mixed evidence that human disturbance is associated with NHP parasite infections, highlighting the need to consider monitoring parasite infections when developing NHP conservation strategies.

Status And Effects Of Food Provisioning on Ecology of Assamese Monkey (Macaca Assamensis) In Ramdi Area of Palpa, Nepal

The population status of Assamese monkey (Macaca assamensis) (McClelland 1840) and its interaction with the local people is poorly documented in Nepal. In 2014, we studied the population status, diurnal time budget and human-monkey conflict in Ramdi, Nepal by direct count, scan sampling and questionnaire survey methods, respectively. Two troops of Assamese monkey having total population of 48 with the mean troop size of 24 individuals were recorded in the study area. The group density was 0.33 groups / km² with a population density of 6 individuals/ km². The male to female adult sex ratio was 1:1.75 and the infant to female ratio was 0.85. The provisioned troop of Assamese monkey in Ramdi spent less time in feeding and movement while higher time was invested in resting and grooming than the nonspecific populations in the wild habitats. The human-monkey conflict is high in Ramdi, primarily due to the crop-raiding from fields and even the storage; the major crops raided are maize, vegetables, pulses and fruits. The higher reproductive success in terms of infant to adult female ratio, increased human-monkey conflicts and lesser investment of the diurnal time in foraging and feeding by Assamese monkey troop of Ramdi might be associated with the food provisioning. Journal of Institute of Science and TechnologyVolume 22, Issue 2, January 2018, Page: 183-190

Ecology and Behavior of Assamese Monkeys in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Nepal

The population distribution and diurnal behavior of Assamese monkey Macaca assamensis were studied in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Nepal and data collected during Dec. 2011 to March 12 by scan sampling methods along with application of ArcGIS software. Seven bisexual troops were observed in subtropical/lower temperate forest of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park and its marginal areas near to human settlement. The observed smallest troop was with 12 individuals while the largest troop had 35 individuals of different age. The average troop size is 23.71 with standard deviation 9.22. Out of three broad age groups adults were 40.27%, immature 42.95% and infants were 14.09 %. The sex ratio between male and female was 1:1.03.A troop was selected as focal troop for behavioral study after habituation. Foraging/eating covered 46% of total observed time while resting 19%, locomotion 16%, sleeping 12%, grooming 6%, and playing 1%. Some other behavior noticed such as aggression, copulation, stone licking, coughing and sniffing for short duration. Young and tender leaves as well as burgeoning twigs were primary sources of food (38.24 %) for winter followed by seeds (35.29%, moss and epiphytes (14.71%), insects (5.88%) and others 5.88%. while water drinking was never observed. All troops in Shivapuri forest were found residing on the steep cliffs along with river bank while Nagarjun forest troops used cliff as well as tall trees.J. Nat. Hist. Mus. Vol. 27, 2013: 12-24

Assamese Monkeys in Nagarjun Forest of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Nepal

The population distribution of Assamese monkey Macaca assamensis were studied in Nagarjun forest of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Nepal and data collected during Dec. 2013 and January 2014, by scan sampling methods along with transect walk through forest trails and ring-road of forest. Sevenbi sexual troops were observed in subtropical/lower temperate forest of Nagarjun forest especially around Raniban forest area. The observed smallest troop was with 9 individuals while the largest troop had 37 (41) individuals of different age. The average troop size is 20.57. Out of three broad age groups adults were 56.31% and immature 43.06% while infant alone were 18.06%. The sex ratio between male and female was 1:1.34. Plant usage for feeding and resting were also enumerated. Nagarjun forest troops use mostly tall trees for the night halts and resting in day time.