Primates, People and Paradigms

Angela Chakraborty

Even amidst the concrete and steel of Guwahati, a fascinating tale of co-existence unfolds.

Our recent internship, a joint effort by Mahabahu and the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), offered a new insight into the complex relationship between humans and macaque monkeys within our urban landscape.

Our project, named “Human-Macaque Interaction Research Project,” sought to understand the behaviours and adaptations of these primates as they navigate human-dominated spaces.

As part of this exploration, our team embarked on a journey to gather personal accounts from individuals living near significant macaque habitats. We conducted interviews, precisely documenting the experiences and observations of residents, students, temple visitors, and local vendors. This qualitative approach allowed us to weave together a narrative of shared spaces, occasional conflict, and remarkable adaptation.

Our initial investigations began at the revered Navagraha temple, a popular religious site in Guwahati. While our team’s primary focus later shifted to Gauhati University and the Basistha temple, the early insights gathered from Navagraha provided a crucial foundation for understanding human-macaque dynamics within a temple setting.

At the Navagraha temple, a consistent theme emerged: the challenges posed by the macaques. Individuals from diverse economic backgrounds voiced concerns about the “monkey menace,” citing their inability to cultivate vegetation. The installation of protective netting on windows had become a common practice which reflects the monkeys’ persistent efforts to access household provisions.

One particularly vivid story that stood out was a troubling incident during the COVID-19 pandemic, where a rogue monkey reportedly bit multiple individuals before disappearing, leaving a residue of fear within the community. Interestingly, our interviews suggested a gendered aspect to these interactions, with monkeys often exhibiting more assertive behaviour, such as chasing and startling, towards women. Perhaps perceiving them as less of a threat, the monkeys seemed bolder in their interactions. Moreover, the macaques at Navagraha displayed a preference for snatching food directly from visitors and devotees, seemingly less inclined towards the traditional offerings placed before them.

Gauhati University, a sprawling educational institution in Jalukbari, presented a contrasting environment for human-macaque interaction. The constant presence of a large student body, faculty, and staff, scattered with patches of green cover, creates a habitat that supports troops of rhesus macaques (Macacamulatta). Our interviews here aimed to understand the nature of these interactions within an academic setting.

A prevalent concern among hostel residents was the monkeys’ tendency to breach their living spaces that lead to episodes of chaos, bin raiding, and the stealing of packaged food items. In a somewhat unconventional attempt at mitigation, the university’s Aquaculture and Biodiversity Centre employs a chimpanzee statue as a deterrent, a silent guardian intended to scare off the monkeys.

Interestingly, some individuals suggested that the university’s macaque population was not indigenous but had migrated to the campus over time, their numbers gradually increasing. Despite of this large population of monkeys in the campus, the medical professional at Gauhati University Hospital reported a lack of recorded monkey bite cases within her experience.

The Basistha temple, a significant religious site attracting a large number of devotees, offered yet another perspective on the human-macaque relationship. Here, the macaques were often perceived as an integral part of the temple ecosystem, even receiving offerings from the visitors. Our interviews at this location focused on understanding the dynamics within this religious and social framework.

In stark contrast to Navagraha, the monkeys at Basistha temple were generally less troublesome. Consequently, residents in this area did not commonly employ window nets as a primary defence against monkey intrusions. “The monkeys would come and playfully pull my saree when I clean this area everyday. They can recognize me and would never hurt me in any way.”, said Mrs NirmaliGoswami.A sense of co-existence existed between people and primates. However, the need for protective measures was still evident, with many shops utilizing wire fencing to safeguard food items from potential theft.

A concerning observation was the local reports of monkey deaths and injuries resulting from uncoated electric cables, with electrocution leading to limb loss in several instances. Interestingly, the Basistha macaques exhibited territorial behaviour, actively chasing away other monkey troops that ventured into their domain.

Despite the unique characteristics of each location, several common themes stood out across our interviews. A deep-seated religious connection with monkeys, associating them with Lord Hanuman, was evident in the attitudes of the people. While deterrents like sticks were used, there was a general reluctance to cause physical harm.

Residents across all sites had adopted various preventive strategies, including nets, slingshots, and sticks, to mitigate the challenges posed by the monkeys. We also observed the social structure of the macaque troops, typically led by a dominant individual, often larger in size. Furthermore, the monkeys appeared to possess a degree of social recognition, seemingly identifying familiar locals and exhibiting less aggressive behaviour towards them.

Our internship, assisted by Mahabahu, provided an invaluable opportunity to explore into the complex relationship between humans and macaques in Guwahati. Through data collection and insightful analysis, our team gained a deeper understanding of the diverse interactions that emerge within these shared urban spaces.

While instances of conflict and challenges to co-existence were evident, our research also highlighted the remarkable adaptability of macaques and the varied ways in which humans perceive and interact with them.

The findings from this project contribute to the growing understanding of primate behaviour and urban ecology, informing more effective conservation strategies and encouraging a greater appreciation for our non-human primate neighbours as we navigate this ever-evolving urban landscape together.

This internship was more than just an educational project, it was an immersive journey into the intricate web of life that binds humans and wildlife in our rapidly changing cities.

Angela Chakraborty is a student of Mass Communication & Journalism, Gauhati University

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