Call of the Singalikas

They may not roar fiercely, but the lion-tailed macaques of the Western Ghats need not be protected before it is too late, writes Ravi Hegde.

Our lackadaisical attitude and lack of vision about the conservation of natural forests tend to cause irreversible damage to our ecosystem, which will eventually push many endemic species to the verge of extinction.

The endemic and endangered lion-tailed macaques of the Western Ghats of India are one such threatened species, whose population is on the decline.

A recent survey has estimated that approximately 2,000 macaques exist in the natural habitats in Western Ghats.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed these rare species of macaques as endangered.

The lion-tailed macaque, also called the Wanderoo (Macaca silenus and singalika in Kannada) is arboreal and smallest in stature of all macaques endemic to the Western Ghats and are primarily seen in Silent Valley of Kerala, Anamalai Hills of Tamil Nadu, Sharavathi River Valley and Honnavar (Gerusoppa or Kattalekaanu and Malemane) forest range in the state of Karnataka in India.

They are distinct in their appearance, characterised by gray fur surrounding their black face and a tuft of hair at the tip of their tail, which resembles the tail of the lions. Hence the name ‘lion-tailed’ macaque.

Voracious appetite

The lion-tailed macaques spend about 99 percent of their time on the trees or at the top canopy of the forests and can scout up to 20 km per day in search of food.

These macaques are omnivorous in their feeding habits, mostly foraging on foliage, fruits, stems, flowers, buds, mushrooms, insects, birds as well as small mammals.

Their day starts with foraging at the top of the canopy of the forest.

They also have the habit of feeding on baby squirrels, lizards, tree frogs, and snails, which is not known in other macaques. 

These animals also have cheek pouches for quick and easy storage of food and can store an amount equivalent to their stomach’s capacity.

Because of fear of predators, they prefer to forage quickly and routinely employ these pouches to keep their valuable food safe.

These macaques are intellectually skillful possessing extraordinary skills to design and use tools for feeding.

They cleverly pick spiny insects by precisely folding specific varieties of leaves to avoid pricking.

While plucking the jackfruits, these macaques rotate it, like we do, to take it out from the trees.

They also have a peculiar behaviour of licking the dew from leaves to satisfy their thirst.

The communication among lion-tailed macaques is highly sophisticated, which includes 17 distinct social vocalisations, facial gestures and lip movements.

Under threat

The lion-tailed macaques are considered highly endangered with loss of their habitat as the prime reason for their gradual decline in population.

The forest fragmentation has been shown to be one of the most important reasons for the death of taller trees in the tropical rain forests.

These macaques are facing loss of habitat due to expansion of agricultural activities in the dense forest areas, encroachments, submergence of the river valley by hydroelectric projects, timber harvesting and road building.

These macaques are sensitive and are reluctant to cross the open spaces of roads, dams, and plantations due to the threat of predators, as well as lack of protection.

Historically, in Uttara Kannada, there has been a shift from primary to secondary forest patches due to the decisive forces created by practice of cultivation.

Our ancestors had left behind vast sacred forests (kaanu) in the district, which are now the relics of the primary forests of the Western Ghats and harbour many endemic species of both plants and animals.

One of such forest patches or kaanu is Kattalekaanu area of the Sharavathi river valley, which is an important habitat for not only the endangered and endemic lion tails, but also for the recently discovered endemic Kumbara night frog (Nyctibatrachus kumbara).

The Kattalekaanu and Malemane forest areas of Sharavathi valley contain the most endangered forest ecosystems called Myristica swamps, which are a type of freshwater swamp forest, predominantly composed of species named Myristica.

These Myristica swamps are seen only in Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka and  southern parts of Kerala.

Such a treasure of nature, with many discovered and undiscovered endemic species of flora and fauna, for reasons unknown, did not make its way into the UNESCO World Heritage site status.

Also, recent incidences of indiscriminately releasing the king cobras which invaded homes in surrounding villages and towns can cause serious repercussions in future and can imbalance the intricate biological web of life.

Ignorance is not bliss

In Karnataka, the recent happenings and the attitude of the society as well as the forest officials towards the conservation of these rare species seems worthy of criticism.

The lack of interest and motivation among the local forest authorities will have profound impact on the long-term plans in conserving the ecological niches.

The Sharavathi valley and the forest areas in the vicinity are since long subjected to submergence of evergreen forest by dam, encroachments of forest land for farming activities, road building, roadside shops, timber lobby etc.

In many instances, the ignorance of the ecological value of these forests contributes to the inefficient conservation. Whenever there is lapse in the implementation of forest laws, the practice of making forest authorities accountable and answerable for their negligence in duties could bring some positive change.

Creating an atmosphere where they can work without any kind of pressure, making them understand the legal and the ethical and moral responsibilities, and upgrading their work environment on regular intervals, could bring some positive hopes in conservation.

The endemic lion-tailed macaques are prized possessions of our nation. This sense of pride should lead to an initiation in conserving their pristine habitat.

There is a need for a strong voice for lion tails, like the roar of a lion, before their remaining scanty population reaches critical stage.

But the big question is, who will give that roaring voice to them?