Abstract

A survey of primates was conducted during December 1992 to June 1995, in the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary and adjacent areas of Kerala State, to map the distribution of the primates; to study the habitat and to monitor the species. The study revealsthat the primates of the sanctuary consist of four species viz. the bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata), lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus), Nilgiri langur (Presbytis johni) and slender loris (Loris tardigradus). Bonnet macaque is the most common primate in all types of forests. They are highly adaptable and were more frequently observed in the peripheral areas of the sanctuary, especially in the Thenmala village area often attaining a minor pest status. The number of nonnet macaques in the study area wasestimated to be 513 individuals in 34 troops. Lion-tailed macaques were found only in the evergreen and semi-evergreen forests of the sanctuary. Maximum sightings were from the catchments of rivers Umi Ar and Chendurny Ar, followed by the evergreen forests in the Rockwood area which is contiguous with the Kulathupuzha Reserved Forest south of the sanctuary. Lion-tailed macaques in the area consists of nine troops with 131 individuals. Nilgiri langur troops are present im moist deciduous, semi-evergreen and evergreen forests in the area. The Nilgiri langur was estimated as 25 troops with 142 indivduals. Slender oris was sighted only once