Lion Tailed Macaques

As we reported little over a week ago, significant work was being done on the Maharajah Jungle Trek at the old tapir exhibit. The tapir had passed away about 6 years ago and since then the exhibit has housed bar-headed geese and sarus cranes. Those birds are back in the large exhibit just past the tigers, again accompanying the Eld's deer and blackbuck.

The cranes, geese and ducks have returned to the large prey exhibit

We now are hearing that lion tailed macaques are coming to the new area. We had speculated that based on the work being done, it was likely a type of primate, and this is a nice choice.

First of all, they are striking. The manes give them a unique appearance. But more importantly, they are highly endangered. The species are found in the southwestern corner of India, and have suffered greatly due to habitat destruction for coffee and tea plantations as well as timber. They have also been hunted for their fur and flesh. Currently, there are less than 3000 in the wild.