SrI lanka's Monkey census

Global Lessons from Monkey Censuses: Protecting Agriculture and Economy

Governments worldwide have conducted monkey censuses to address agricultural damage, human-wildlife conflict, and conservation challenges. Sri Lanka is now set to conduct its first-ever island-wide monkey census to tackle the alarming destruction of coconut crops caused by primates.

Scheduled for February 15 or February 22, the census will be a coordinated effort across all districts, according to Dr. Sunimal Jayakody, Chairman of the Coconut Cultivation Board. The urgency for this initiative arises from reports indicating that millions of coconuts were lost in 2024 due to monkey activity, severely impacting the nation’s economy. In response, multiple government agencies—including the Ministry of Plantation Industries, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, and Sri Lanka Police Department—are collaborating to ensure accurate data collection.

Global Experiences with Monkey Censuses

Countries around the world have undertaken similar efforts to study primate population trends and implement effective management strategies:

India

Rhesus Macaque Census: Conducted to address rising human-monkey conflicts, particularly in urban areas like Delhi and Himachal Pradesh.

Bonnet Macaque Census: Focused on assessing the impact of habitat loss on bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata) populations in South India.

Brazil

Golden Lion Tamarin Census: A key conservation effort to monitor the endangered golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia) in the Atlantic Forest, aiding in species recovery.

Africa (Multiple Countries)

Chimpanzee and Baboon Surveys: Countries like Uganda, Tanzania, and Gabon have conducted censuses of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and baboons to monitor population numbers in national parks.

Indonesia & Malaysia

Orangutan Population Surveys: Though orangutans are apes, similar survey methods are used to track their numbers in Borneo and Sumatra due to deforestation threats.

Long-Tailed Macaque Census: Conducted in both urban and rural areas to address human-monkey interactions.

Japan

Japanese Macaque Census: Ongoing population studies of snow monkeys (Macaca fuscata) in cold regions like Jigokudani, helping to develop strategies for mitigating their impact on agriculture.

Sri Lanka (Upcoming Census in 2024)

The first-ever nationwide monkey census will focus on toque macaques, purple-faced langurs, and gray langurs, primarily due to their role in coconut crop destruction. The findings will help inform sustainable solutions that balance economic interests with ecological conservation.

By learning from global experiences, Sri Lanka can develop long-term policies that address agricultural concerns while ensuring the protection of its unique primate species.

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