July 27, 2023
By Asish Mangalasseri
Additional Programme Coordinator – Biodiversity Conservation
Asish from our Biodiversity team attended this year’s International Congress for Conservation Biology held in Kigali, Rwanda by the Society for Conservation Biology. He presented on work done by a team on conserving the lion-tailed macaques at Nilambur.
Following nearly two years’ study on the primate in Nilambur, Asish was instrumental in publishing a booklet summarising findings on the lion-tailed macaque’s behaviour, habitat, diet and more. The research and publication was supported by The Rufford Foundation and Conservation Leadership Programme. The congress, held for the 31st year since its launch, provided a much-needed global forum to bring to light the declining population and habitat of the macaque, and invigorate conservation efforts towards its future. He presented a poster on his team’s work (Ajesh M., Rajesh R., and Anita Varghese)
The poster covered results from the lion-tailed macaque survey done between 2021 and 2023, during which time they observed ten distinct troops. After the ecological and social surveys were done, the team found that hunting, a lack of awareness among people, littering and the unethical act of tourists feeding wildlife on the roadside are the major threats these species face in Nilambur. The team also conducted a few conservation education classes and installed signboards on the Nadukani Road, which passes through lion-tailed macaque habitat and is frequented by tousts, to spread conservation importance and awareness about the species.
