CHENNAI: A baby lion-tailed macaque, born recently at the Arignar Anna Zoological park in Vandalur, is the new attraction for visitors. A zoo statement said the baby macaque was born to six-year-old Anjali and eight-year-old Ashok on March 23. The latest addition has increased the number of lion tailed macaques in the zoo to 24.
Also known as Cholai monkey, lion-tailed macaques, predominantly rain forest dwellers, are found in the western ghats of Kerala besides Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Over the years, the number of macaques dwindled with deforestation cited as one of the primary reasons. The animal is also listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature among the 25 endangered species in the world.
Ex situ conservation by zoo authorities has helped in increasing their numbers. The Vandalur zoo, the co-ordinating zoo along with the participating Mysore and Thiruvananthapuram zoos, organises the conservation process.
“We have restricted entry of people and caged one male and two females in two three-sided cages each, for breeding,” said a zoo spokesperson. More number of banyan, mango, amla, jackfruit and other trees and shrubs are being grown around the macaques’ moats. “We want to create a natural atmosphere for these monkeys, so that they feel at home,” the official said.
In the year 1990, zoo authorities brought one male and three females from Valparai forest and another female in 1999. Over the years, these macaques have mated to give birth to 48 babies, which was a record for breeding via ex-situ conservation, the statement said. The baby monkeys have been exchanged with other zoos.