Abstract: This study investigates the interaction between humans (Homo sapiens) and long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) living in sympatric associations at 11 Hindu temple sites on the island of Bali, Indonesia. Primatological methods (focal animal sampling), and primate censuses were utilized to examine primate group demography, habitat type, and record long-tailed macaque behavior. Additionally, interviews and questionnaires were conducted to ascertain Balinese individuals' perspectives regarding the macaques, local folklore surrounding the macaques, and the degree of crop raiding by the macaques. Data collected via ethnographic methods revealed that attitudes toward long-tailed macaques vary, suggesting that human perceptions are determined by religious/local folklore and the economic gains (or potential economic gains) that the macaques may provide. In contrast to reports of ubiquitous protection for Balinese long-tailed macaques, informants revealed that macaques in some locations are hunted, eaten, captured, and illegally sold to animal dealers. These findings provide important insights into our understanding of nonhuman primate conservation and the impact that each primate can have on the other's behavior.

A Preliminary Review of Neotropical Primates in the Subsistence and Symbolism of Indigenous Lowland South American Peoples
Loretta Cormier - University of Alabama at Birmingham

Abstract: This article provides a review of selected literature of nonhuman primates in the subsistence and symbolism of indigenous lowland South American groups. While few works have focused specifically on the relationship between human and nonhuman primates in Amazonia and the surrounding areas, a number of ethnographic works do incorporate information about the roles of monkeys in varied groups. The section on subsistence focuses on the use of primates as food, including preferences, avoidances, and taboos. The section on symbolism focuses on the role of monkeys in myths, folklore, and in delineating the humanity/animality divide.

Videos

New monkey species found in mountain forests of Tanzania

Click on the picture to the left to start the streaming video (3:12 mins). This video requires Quicktime 7.0.

Rare video of the new species of mangabey that was recently discovered in the Udzungwa Mountains of Tanzania by a team of researchers led by Dr. Carolyn L. Ehardt, Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia.   Completely independently, and unbeknownst to Dr. Ehardt and her team, the same new species was co-discovered in the Rungwe/Livingstone Mountains of Tanzania, some 370 km to the southwest, by Dr. Tim Davenport's Wildlife Conservation Society team.

The new species is given the name Highland Mangabey, and is taxonomically designated as: Lophocebus kipunji Ehardt, Butynski, Jones and Davenport 2005. The species name (kipunji) reflects the local Wanyakyusa people's name for the animal in Rungwe/Livingstone. Complete details of the discoveries, and the description and naming of the species, are published in Science 308 (No. 5725, 20 May 2005): 1161-1164. Drs. Ehardt and Thomas M. Butynski (Conservation International), participants in the IUCN/Primate Specialist's Group Workshop on the Red Listing of African Primates, verified that the new species qualifies to be listed in the upcoming revision of the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered. The video was made by Dr. Ehardt in the forest around Mt. Rungwe.

Ethnoprimatology of Macaca tonkeana in Lore Lindu Nation Park

Click on the picture to the left to start the streaming video (16:26 mins). This video requires Quicktime 7.0.

The objective of this documentary film, produced by Erin P. Riley (recent PhD from the Department of Anthropology, University of Georgia, USA) and David Lamayuki (Communications Director of NGO in Palu, Sulawesi, Forum Kemitraan Taman Nasional Lore Lindu), is twofold. First, it aims to present the key research questions of ethnoprimatological research, as well as a visual description of the methodology in such research. Second, by highlighting the conservation value of Lore Lindu National Park, the film aims to serve as a conservation awareness tool to be used by local environmental NGOs in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Given the latter goal, the film is in Bahasa Indonesia with English subtitles.

Reviews

Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature Deficit Disorder
Colleen Marie O'Brien - University of Georgia

Intro: Like many other children growing up in the suburban United States during the 1970s, my childhood memories include swinging from tree limbs, tromping through the woods, and constructing tree forts in the far stretches of our neighborhood. But what happens when an entire generation of children grows up without such memories? ....

Conservation: Linking, Ecology, Economics, and Culture
David Himmelfarb - University of Georgia

Intro: Guided by their extensive field experience in conservation research and practice, Monique Borgerhoff Mulder and Peter Coppolillo offer an encompassing introduction to some of the most pervasive and incendiary social and biological science debates concerning biodiversity conservation....