Human-monkey (Macaca sinica) conflict in Sri Lanka: A narrative review

Abstract

With the deforestation, human population growth and expansion of various rural development projects, the incidence of human- monkey conflict is being increased.This overview aimed to summarize the findings of the projects (published and unpublished) carried out relating to different aspects of this human- red faced monkey(toque macaques/Macaca sinica) conflict from the year 2000 to 2016 by Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University Of Peradeniya. Mostly Individual monkeys and individual mothers with kids and secondly the troupes caused such trouble in Kandy municipal city limits. Red faced monkeys are attracted to human food, home garden produce and insects found in and around human dwellings. These monkeys, in addition, carry some enteric pathogens which have zoonotic potential. Different methods to control this conflict were tested such as capturing, sterilizing and translocating or rehabilitating and use of repelling devices to change monkeys’ trails. However, the impact of performing castration, and ovario hysterectomy only on a proportion of males or/and females in a troop, on reducing their numbers is questionable. It is also understood that the attention in this regard must be paid towards proper and complete monkey proof garbage disposal systems.