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Indochinese Rhesus Macaques; Scientifically know as Macaca mulatta 

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Rhesus Macaques typically have a brown coat with a pink face, medium sized tail compared to their height which is 2 ft tall. They are small mammals weighing only about 20 lbs. Rhesus Macaques are very social animals that live in large groups called troops which consist of 200 individuals. They have a complex hierarchy within their troops. They typically live 25-30 years in the wild.

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They are mostly in South east Asia, and passing areas like Myanmar. You can also find them in parts of China, Thailand, and Vietnam. There habitat changes which includes wet lowlands, areas near rivers, and different kinds of forests, but mostly are found in forests. They are known to raid crop and considered bad in urban areas. They are shy in front of people and can become aggressive with them.

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Abundance of introduced rhesus macaques in central Florida.

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Invasive Rhesus macaques are present in Florida, particularly in central Florida around Silver Springs. The primary population is found in Silver Springs State Park, where they were introduced in the 1930s by a tour boat operator to attract tourists. They have since spread and now inhabit the surrounding forests. These monkeys have negatively impacted the ecosystem and community by increasing bacteria in water, destroying mangrove trees, and threatening native wildlife through predation and competition for resources.

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Rhesus Macaques have been observed and they consume around 50 species of plants and even some animal eggs including egrets eggs who are native to Florida. Not only do Indochinese Rhesus Monkeys eat plants they also eat small mammals, snails, crabs, and crickets. They are becoming a threat to wildlife through competition.

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Three possible methods for controlling the monkeys are trapping and removal, sterilization, and habitat modification. Trapping and removal is capturing them and removing them from the population. The pros are that it prevents further spread and reduces damage to native ecosystems. The cons are it could harm native species. Sterilization is surgically sterilizing female macaques to reduce their reproductive potential. The pros of are it has minimal environmental impact. The cons are it is challenging and needs to be carefully monitored. Habitat modification involves altering the macaques environment to make it less suitable for their long-term survival. The pros are it reduces competition with invasive species and increases the diversity of native species. The cons are it can be expensive and time-consuming.

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Trapping and removal we think would be the most effective strategy for removing the Indochinese rhesus monkey. It is the most ethical and best method for protecting the rest of the ecosystem. Trapping the monkeys allows experts to selectively target the invasive species and humane methods can reduce the risk of harm to the removed animals. By selectively removing the Indochinese rhesus monkeys it can improve the genetic diversity within an ecosystem. You would need to get baited cage traps, tranquilizer darts, or nets, food and water, and a vehicle to transport the monkeys. You would also need to have protective gear like gloves. Also you would need to make sure that the new habitat is suitable. Relocating the monkeys requires permits from wildlife authorities and help from wildlife handlers, veterinarians, and researchers. They all help with assisting the monkey population, handling, health checks, and monitoring the monkeys adaptation to the new environment.

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Macaca mulatta, Rhesus macaque

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International Thai National Parks

https://www.thainationalparks.com/species/rhesus-macaque

Rhesus macaque

https://primate.wisc.edu/primate-info-net/pin-factsheets/pin-factsheet-rhesus-macaque/

National Geographic

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/rhesus-macaque

Rhesus Macaque, Macaca mulatta - New England Primate Conservancy

https://neprimateconservancy.org/rhesus-macaque/

WEC367/UW412: History and Status of Introduced Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta) in Silver Springs State Park, Florida

Ask IFAS - Powered by EDIS

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW412

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Common Name:

Rhesus Macaque

Scientific Name:

Macaca mulatta

Average Life Span In The Wild:

4 years

Size:

Head and body: 17.75 to 25 inches; tail: 7.5 to 12.5 inches

Weight:

8.75 to 26.5 pounds

Size relative to a 6-ft man:

Rhesus macaques are familiar brown primates with red faces and rears. They have close-cropped hair on their heads, which accentuates their very expressive faces.

Population Range

Rhesus macaques are Asian, Old World monkeys. Their natural range includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Southeast Asia, and China. A few troops of introduced rhesus macaques now live wild in Florida. These intelligent animals can adapt to many habitats, and some can even become accustomed to living in human communities. This is most common in India, where Hindus regard the animals as sacred and usually leave them undisturbed.

Behavior

The rhesus macaque's typical diet includes roots, fruit, seeds, and bark, but also insects and small animals. They live in active, noisy troops that can include up to 200 animals. Though these monkeys are good climbers (and swimmers), troops spend a lot of time on the ground. Males are the dominant sex, but they do not remain with troops permanently, so female macaques lead these communities. Because troops include multiple mature males and females, their members are sexually promiscuous. Females usually produce one young each year, which will be raised by its mother within the very social environment of the troop.

Relationship With Humans

Rhesus macaques have an important history with humans and have aided a great deal of medical and scientific research. Rhesus antigens found in their blood enabled doctors to identify the different human blood groups. These primates also preceded humans into space.

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Abstracts Abstract: Discover the creature that preceded humans in outer space. Learn how this red-faced primate species helped advance scientific and medical research. -7