Pre and Post Sterilization Behaviour Studies of Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) in Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract: Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta) population in India has been on a rise due to their high breeding rate and ability to acclimatize to various environments (Imam 2013). They are often seen in Human habitations especially in agricultural fields, raiding crops and becoming a nuisance to the farmers. According to agricultural department, the marauding macaques have raided agricultural crops worth Rs 185 crore and horticulture crops worth Rs 38 crore in various districts of HP in 2014. To address this menace, sterilization programme is carried out at respective Monkey sterilization centre (MSC’s) established at 8 monkey affected districts across Himachal Pradesh. This study aims to investigate and understand the various behavioural changes that may occur (intra specific, social , feeding, stress/aggression ) in the period of post sterilization of Rhesus macaque. The proposed study site for this project is a Village called Gopalpur located in Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh. For pre-sterilization monitoring, a virgin Troupe was identified and selected for capture based on the MSC’s record on capture locations and sterilized monkeys. The virgin troupe was monitored for their behaviour which included changes and their usual aggression, Feeding, grooming, sleeping, and mating and home range, for a period of 3 weeks. 100 % capture of this troupe was aimed for sterilization at a time. But failure of the same, the remaining population was to be monitored for their behavioural changes due to separation from their parent troupe. Capturing Rhesus of Chamunda Area near the addressed site was challenging due to many reasons which are discussed in the report. Three monkeys were caught successfully out of which two escaped and one turned out to be pregnant. The identified troupe couldn’t be captured and sterilized to study their post behavioural changes. The pregnant monkey was released back at the point of capture as it can’t be sterilized. This study on presterilization behaviour will form a baseline data for future studies on their post-sterilization behavioural changes. The study will also help in streamlining the monkey capturing process. Keywords: Rhesus macaque, Behaviour, Monkey sterilisation centre, MSC, Sterilisation program.