White Cheeked Macaque

Why in news?

• Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have found a new mammal species in the country — the White Cheeked Macaque.

About White Cheeked Macaque:

• While this Macaque was first discovered in China in 2015, its existence was not known in India before this — it is only now that Indian scientists have discovered its presence in the remote Anjaw district in central Arunachal Pradesh.
• These macaques are different from the other macaques mainly because of their white cheeks. Also, they have a longer tail, long and thick hairs in the neck area.
• It has not yet been included in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Major threat to the species

• Hunting, habitat degradation, infrastructure development and consumption by the locals.

Habitat

• It lives in tropical forest, evergreen broad leaved forest, mixed broad leaved conifer forests.
• It is usually found at an altitude of 1395 meters to 2420 meters. They live in multi – male and multi – female group.

About Macaques:

• The macaques are old world monkeys. There are 23 species of macaques in the world. They are mainly found in Asia, North Africa, Gibraltar. They mainly feed on leaves, seeds, flowers and tree bark

PRACTICE QUESTION:

White Cheeked Macaque, a new mammal species recently discovered in India, is found in:

(a) Arunachal Pradesh

(b) Ladakh

(c) Andaman

(d) Madhya Pradesh

Answer