Endangered Primate of Kerala, India: The Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus) and Its Conservation Status in the Western Ghats

The population status of various species of primates are rare, endangered, abundant and relatively safe. More than 50 non-human primates live in 20 countries in Asia, interacting 3 billion people ecologically. The Lion-tailed macaques are one of the most endangered and endemic primate species in the Western Ghats, Southern India. The main habitat of these species is the evergreen rainforests. Habitat fragmentation exhibits significant changes in its population. Many captive breeding programs are being conducted in India and globally for the conservation of endangered Lion-tailed macaques. Environmental enrichment and scientific feeding practices are essential to the success of captive breeding operations for lion-tailed macaques.