2025 for January 1970

Recently, the Forest department has registered a case into the mysterious deaths of nine Bonnet macaques near Palode in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

The bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata ), also known as zati, is a species of macaque endemic to southern India.
Behavior: These species are arboreal and terrestrial quadrupeds, live in multimale-multifemale troops. They are diurnal, meaning they are active during daylight hours.
They are highly arboreal and are strong swimmers.
Communication: They have adopted a wide array of communication methods through gestures, facial expressions, and sounds.
Habitat: They are found in a variety of habitats, including evergreen high forest and dry deciduous forest of the Western Ghat Mountains.
Distribution: The presence of the species has been recorded in Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat,
Diet: They are omnivorous and eat fruits, nuts, seeds, leaves, insects, soil, small invertebrates, eggs, and reptiles.
Reproduction: The bonnet macaque gestation period (pregnancy) lasts around 5-6 months.
Ecological Role: Bonnet macaques that live within forests involuntarily help with tree reproduction by spreading their seeds throughout the landscape.
Conservation Status of
- IUCN: Vulnerable
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I.

Source: TH

Bonnet Macaques FAQ's

Q1: What is the conservation status of Bonnet Macaques according to the IUCN?

Ans: Vulnerable

Q2: What is the primary habitat of Bonnet Macaques?

Ans: Southern India, including forests, grasslands, and urban areas