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Distribution, abundance and conservation of primates in the Highwavy Mountains of Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India and conservation prospects for lion-tailed macaques

In the present study, we surveyed the primate species in the Highwavy Mountains of Tamil Nadu, India. Five primate species, including Nilgiri langur, Hanuman langur, bonnet macaque, lion-tailed macaque and
slender loris were recorded in the region. Coffee and cardamom plantations in the hill system still hold the population of endangered lion-tailed macaque and Nilgiri langur. However, tea plantations act as a barrier for the movement of primate groups between the forest patches. The disturbance in the hill system and its consequence may be a reason for the increased group size of lion-tailed macaques. The inclusion of the lion-tailed macaque occurring areas to the newly declared Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary in the High-wavy Mountains is recommended.

http://www.ias.ac.in/currsci/10apr2011/1063.pdf