Celebes Black "ape" Macaque

The Celebes crested macaque, also known as the crested black macaque, Sulawesi crested macaque, or black ape, is an intriguing Old World monkey native to the Tangkoko reserve in Sulawesi, Indonesia, and nearby smaller islands. These primates are easily identifiable by their jet-black fur, striking reddish-brown eyes, and a distinctive crest of hair on their heads. They are relatively small, measuring between 44-60 cm in body length and weighing between 3.6-10.4 kg. In the wild, they typically have a lifespan of about 15-20 years.

Celebes crested macaques are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. They primarily inhabit rainforests and spend much of their time on the ground foraging for food. Their diet mainly comprises fruits, which constitute about 70% of their intake. Additionally, they consume leaves, buds, seeds, insects, and small animals.

These macaques are social creatures living in groups that range from 5 to 75 individuals. Notably, these groups usually contain more adult females than males. They follow a promiscuous mating system, and after a gestation period of approximately 174 days, females give birth to a single infant, typically in the spring.

Unfortunately, the Celebes crested macaque faces significant threats from human activity. They are often hunted, being considered pests and for their meat. Furthermore, deforestation poses a major threat, endangering their habitat and survival.

To combat these threats, conservation initiatives like the Selamatkan Yaki program and the Macaca Nigra Project are tirelessly working to protect these critically endangered animals. Despite these efforts, many Celebes crested macaques remain unprotected outside the Tangkoko reserve and continue to be at risk of hunting.

In 2014, the Celebes crested macaque gained worldwide attention due to a copyright dispute over a "selfie" photograph taken by one of the monkeys, bringing much-needed awareness to their plight.