Diluting the Wildlife (Protection) Act for rhesus macaques will be devastating for this Indian species
International Monkey Day today. For the last half-century, the rhesus macaque, or the rhesus monkey, revered in Hinduism as earthly representation of Hanuman, was protected under India law. It protected them from being killed or captured for experimentation, meat, or being used in pet industries, among other forms of abuse. Now, inexplicably, those protections have been weakened. GoI must reverse this egregious betrayal of these keenly intelligent and complex animals.
Distinctly social beings, rhesus macaques thrive in large, active groups. They are highly vocal and communicate using body postures, facial expressions, vocalisations and scent cues. Rhesus macaques feel joy and sadness, love and fear. In their natural habitat, monkeys can be playful and silly, but also determined and loyal. These primates love to climb and swim. Mothers nurse their young ones for up to a year.
Rhesus macaques also play an important environmental role. Since fruit is an important part of their diet, they disperse fruit seeds over large distances, maintaining tropical forests and plants, and strengthening and balancing local ecosystems.
But without any meaningful legal protection, or any regard for their physical and emotional needs, monkeys are being captured from their natural homes by international wildlife dealers in Asia. They are often crammed into small wooden crates and transported in dark, terrifying aircraft cargo holds for up to 30 hrs.
The ordeal in the plane is merciless. Yet, for these sensitive beings, the nightmare
