Moor macaque

The Moor Macaque is a captivating species of monkey found exclusively on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. These primates have a distinctive appearance, featuring brown to black fur, a pale patch on their rumps, and pink skin on their bare rumps. They typically measure around 50 to 58.5 centimeters in length.

In their tropical rainforest habitat, Moor Macaques have a varied diet. They consume figs, bamboo seeds, buds, sprouts, invertebrates, and even grains. Despite their nickname, "dog-ape" which arises from their dog-like muzzles, they are not more closely related to apes than any other Old World monkeys.

Unfortunately, Moor Macaques are facing serious threats. Their numbers have dwindled mainly due to habitat loss driven by deforestation and the expanding human population. Between 1983 and 1994, their population plummeted from an estimated 56,000 to fewer than 10,000 individuals. A survey by Supriatna and colleagues in 1992 found only 3,000 to 5,000 individuals, with just about 2,500 being mature adults. They estimated that there were about 25 to 50 individuals per square kilometer.

Given that several species of macaques on Sulawesi are endangered, it is crucial to gather more information about their ecology and behavior. This data is essential for developing effective conservation management plans to protect these unique primates.