Celebes Crested Macaque, Sulawesi

He Celebes Crested Macaque lives on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. It has a very impressive face that looks like a Moai statue with a Mohican hairstyle. Loss of habitat and meat hunting threatens their existence today.

Gentle in spite of their threatening looks

There are seven species of monkeys belonging to the Macaca genus that live on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. The most famous of these is the Celebes Crested Macaque. The Celebes Crested Macaque is famous because of their unmistakable appearance. Their tall noses and bushy eyebrows make them look like a Moai statue from Easter Island. And their hair looks like a Mohican hairstyle which gives them an even scarier appearance. However, the only thing threatening about them is their face. The Celebes Crested Macaque is actually a rather gentle animal.

Only one-fifth remain...
There is another reason why they are famous. Of the seven Macaca species, the Celebes Crested Macaque is critically endangered. One cause for this is meat hunting. As shameful as it is, poaching remains a problem, even in designated sanctuaries on the island of Sulawesi. Another reason is loss of forest resulting from the growing human population. Experts say that the population of Celebes Crested Macaque has shrunk to less than one-fifth than previously over the last 40 years.

Sulawesi Crested Black Macaques Macaca nigra

Habitat: Sulawesi macaques are mainly found in forested areas on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi but also occur on some smaller adjacent islands.

Diet: They spend about 60% of their day travelling and foraging for food. Predominantly the diet is made up of fruit but they will consume a wide variety of food items including things like seeds, leaves and small invertebrates.

Appearance: Characterized by their large ‘crest’ of hair. They have entirely black faces and bodies apart from their pink ‘ischial callosites’ which are hairless pads on their rump.

Breeding: There is usually one dominant breeding male within the group. Female gestation is around 5 months, once born young macaques will cling on to their mothers belly for safety.
Behaviour: They are a highly social species and live in large groups governed by strict dominance hierarchies. Interactions such as playing, grooming and ‘mutual embraces’ are important in maintaining these social bonds.
Conservation: Wild macaque numbers have gone down by 80% in the last 40yrs. Reasons for decline include, hunting for bush meat, and habitat destruction. As a result of this decline they are now classed as critically endangered.
Selamatkan Yaki! Save Sulawesi macaques!
In Sulawesi, macaques are known locally as ‘Yaki’. Selamatkan Yaki, is an integrated conservation programme which aims to save Yaki habitat. As part of the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, Newquay Zoo is playing an important part in the campaign by developing education materials and contributing to the captive breeding programme.

Did you know?
Communication is very important in macaque society; they have a wide range of vocalisations and facial expressions. Why not look out for:
‘Lipsmacking’ – This is a friendly gesture and macaques will perform it when they are playing, grooming or reconciling after aggressive interactions.
‘coos’- This is call that keeps the macaques in contact with each other while they are travelling or foraging.
‘yawning’ – Males yawn to show off their large canines and enforce their dominance.
While foraging, macaques will often store food items in their cheek pouches and will consume them later.