?

HUMAN-MACAQUES INTERACTIONS 7

Macaque-Human Interactions

Name

Class

Date

My topic of interest is interactions between macaques and human beings. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the nature of interactions between human beings and macaques in different countries such as Singapore, China, Indonesia, and many other countries. This topic is of interest to me since it allows me to research interactions between macaques and human beings and the circumstances surrounding it. In the process of conducting research about the chosen topic, I have come across different information shedding light on the factors that affect the relationship, and the traits that make it intriguing. Of much interest are the societal perceptions of human beings that have a significant role to play in how the two species interact. Moreover, it is essential to examine how the interactions affect human beings and macaques as well.

The interatcions between human beings and macaques influences the behavior of the primates significantly. Specifically, their social behavior is affected when there is a change in the environment. For instance, macaques become more aggressive if they are taken to smaller areas. The type of change that comes with environmental restrictions emanates from human behavior. For instance, human behavior leading to land conservation creates smaller habitats for macaques and eventually leads to aggressiveness from the primates. Interestingly, the extent of impact on the species is dependent on the type of macaque population. For instance, Barbary macaques have more interactions with human beings, meaning that their behavior is likely to be affected to a greater extent compared to other macaque populations.

Societal perceptions of macaques also have a significant role to play in how the two species interact with each other globally. Moreover, these perceptions also play a role in determining conversation efforts for macaques. For instance, Gibraltar is characterized by high interactions between the Barbary population and human beings. The large size of the population is believed to have been brought about by humans. In this region, the population is mainly managed by humans. In some areas, religious perceptions shape the perceptions of human beings towards macaques. As such, their conservation is largely dependent on how people view them within a particular vicinity. Human-macaque conflict is also mostly caused or affected by the societal perceptions of people within a region. Perceptions are crucial to management and conservation processes within a region. One of the issues that affect how human beings view macaques is the human-macaque conflict. People who have experienced loss as a result of macaques are likely to view them in a particular way. As such, these people will treat them in a way that encourages aggression from the primates.

To improve interactions between human beings and macaques globally, certain strategies must be considered and implemented. For instance, it is important to conduct thorough education for the public to ensure they understand the importance of conserving the species. They would be given information on how best to improve interactions between themselves and the primates to ensure that conflict is kept at a low. Evidently, the human-macaque conflict has a significant role in the manner in which the two species interact. Macaques are not particularly welcoming to the idea of being restricted to a small area, which is one of the measures human beings take to control them efficiently. On the other hand, societal perceptions are largely inspire how human beings treat the species. As such, human beings would have better perceptions of the species if the loss they cause was minimized or eliminated. Consequently, this measure would improve the global conservation and management efforts.

Sha, John et al. 2009. “Macaque–human Interactions and the Societal Perceptions of Macaques in Singapore.” American Journal of Primatology 71(10) 825-839.

I chose to work with this source because it goes into detail to explain the macaque-human interactions in Singapore and how the societal perceptions. The article describes a study carried out by researchers in Singapore, who identified that conflict between the two species. According to their findings, people in Singapore hold macaques in high regard despite the conflict instigated by food. Due to this perception, there is a relatively high population of macaques in the country.

This source was important to the research because it highlighted a crucial element of macaque-human interactions. By researching societal perceptions and their effects on conservation, the article brings an anthropological perspective to the paper.

Fuentes, Agustin. 2008. “Characterizing Human–macaque Interactions in Singapore.” American Journal of Primatology 70(9) 879-883.

This particular article focused on long-tail macaques and human interactions. Interactions between the two species were so high to the point that rules and regulations were enforced to reduce physical contact. The interactions reduced significantly, making sufficient room for conservation and management.

The article is very significant to the research paper the role of human interactions in shaping how the conflict between the two species appears.

Fuentes, A. (2011). Monkeys on edge: ecology and management of long-tailed macaques and their interface with humans (Vol. 60). Cambridge University Press.

This book was significant to the research because it shed light on the impact of regulations on improving the interactions between humans and macaques. It also highlighted the role of societal perceptions in improving management and conservation procedures.

This source discusses the potential goals of improving interactions between humans and macaques. It discusses the various ways in which this improvement will improve the prosperity of the primates reduce chances of bilateral infections. For instance, the book suggests that tourists should avoid feeding macaques in countries where the primates are an attraction.

Gumert, M. D., Hamada, Y., & Malaivijitnond, S. (2013). “Human Activity Negatively affects Stone tool-using Burmese long-tailed Macaques Macaca fascicularis area in Laem Son National Park, Thailand.” Oryx 47(4) 535-543.

The source is important since it brings out the contradictions that often arise between public health authorities and tourists guides concerning the practice of feeding macaques. The significance of this book from an anthropological point of view is that it discusses the role of human beings in ensuring conservation is achieved.

This particular article focuses on how long-tailed macaques in Thailand are affected by human activity regarding their tool using practices. The researchers investigated how humans’ farming activities are affecting how macaques use stones as tools. In their findings, the researchers indicated that human activities have a negative influence on macaques’ use of tools and could interfere with the persistence of the practice.

Long-tailed macaques. Primate Info Net. Retrieved from http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/long-tailed_macaque/cons

This website discusses the challenges facing conservation of macaques as an endangered species. Human disturbance is listed as one of the main issues threatening the conservation of macaques. The website explains that the practice of harvesting long-tailed macaques to be used for medical research is one of the problems regarding interactions between the two species.

This source is significant to the research since it touches on the issue of dangerous human activities that pose harm to macaques. The source is important from an anthropological perspective since it identifies a conflict between the two species.

Barbary Macaque. The Mohamed Bin Zayed. Retrieved from https://www.speciesconservation.org/case-studies-projects/barbary-macaque/1371

This website discusses the conservation of macaques and how interactions with humans are posing a threat to their health and that of human beings. The website indicates that conflict between the two can only be resolved by humans of not feel pushed away from their habitats.

The significance of this source to this research is that it discusses an anthropological perspective of human interactions and the effects thereof. It also sheds light on what humans are doing to improve conservation of macaques globally.

References

Barbary Macaque. The Mohamed Bin Zayed. Retrieved from https://www.speciesconservation.org/case-studies-projects/barbary-macaque/1371
Fuentes, A. (2011). Monkeys on edge: ecology and management of long-tailed macaques and their interface with humans (Vol. 60). Cambridge University Press.
Fuentes, Agustin. 2008. “Characterizing Human–macaque Interactions in Singapore.” American Journal of Primatology 70(9) 879-883.
Gumert, M. D., Hamada, Y., & Malaivijitnond, S. (2013). “Human Activity Negatively affects Stone tool-using Burmese long-tailed Macaques Macaca fascicularis area in Laem Son National Park, Thailand.” Oryx 47(4) 535-543.
Long-tailed macaques. Primate Info Net. Retrieved from http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/long-tailed_macaque/cons
Sha, John et al. 2009. “Macaque–human Interactions and the Societal Perceptions of Macaques in Singapore.” American Journal of Primatology 71(10) 825-839.