Monkeys represent our origins and we often enjoy appreciating the many similarities that are still present between them and humans. However, not every specie of monkey receives the same attention and appreciation; black crested macaques, with their funny-looking back that makes them not as fashionable as other species, are often forgotten. This majestic species locally known as yaki is undertaking a continuous decline in population and has achieved the Critically Endangered category in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (Supriatna and Andayani 2008). In fact, the Ugly Animal Preservation Society needs everyone’s help in order to secure and sustain a future for these animals whose uniqueness deserves to be protected.
Black crested macaques can only be found in the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, in the Wallacea region, being one of its seven endemic monkey species found nowhere else in the world (Selamatkan Yaki 2011: 5), and in Pulau Bacan, an island 345 miles away from Sulawesi (Cawthon 2006: 2). They live in a multi-male and multi-female society with the alpha-male at the top of the hierarchy. Other than by their distinctive bright pink, heart-shaped bottom, they are characterized by an upward-directed pointy crest of hair and the black face and rest of body coloration, from which their name derives. They are often wrongfully referred as apes because of the difficulty in seeing their short tails (Cawthon 2006: 1). Since the 1980s, the Macaca nigra population has declined by 85%, mostly due to bush meat’s hunting and trade, and the degradation of prime forest habitats across the province (Selamatkan Yaki: 5). These anthropogenic pressures are leading the species to an imminent extinction if efficient conservation actions are not undertaken, considering the increasing number of hunters and bush meat dealers across the island and the continuous demand for forests’ products (Selamatkan Yaki: 6-7).
The region’s biodiversity makes it a popular destination for ecotourism, with thousands of tourists that visit national parks in the region in order to see get a chance to see the Selawesi crested black macaque and many other species (Paulus 2009: 13). Ecotourism also contributes in the maintenance of the species both directly, through contributions for the conservation, or indirectly, since it provides an important source of revenue for local communities. In fact, if managed properly, ecotourism can generate a great source of income and represents a part of the solution in facing the species’ imminent extinction, educating both ecotourists and local communities (Paulus 2009: 2). However, an uncontrolled ecotourism brings also negative consequences in the animals’ behaviour; in the case of our friends, increasing their fear when encountering tourists (Paulus 2009: 5). Given their uniqueness, black macaques represent a great attraction for zoos in other regions of the world such as Europe’s Paignton and Newquay ones, where conservation programs for endangered species allow them to keep breeding groups in captivity and provide the possibility to study their behaviours. Indeed, they also play a fundamental role in scientific research, being “the only non-human primate role for Type II diabetes mellitus” (Thompson et al. 1992, cited in Bichell 2011). Helping the UAPS with the defence of the Sulawesi black crested macaques enhances the protection of an important resource, economically and scientifically speaking, through which many important discoveries can be made and applied to human societies.
Beyond its economic value, black macaques have great importance in preserving the natural ecosystem. Indeed, as fruit eaters and seeds dispersers, the monkeys are the “gardeners of the forest” (Holland 2017), therefore playing a central role in the functioning of the ecosystem. In fact, in the case of Tangkoko Nature Reserve, where the largest population of crested black macaques live, this species is a key player for the entire ecosystem, and the wealth of other species depends on the same habitat. More specifically, the destruction of forests by local communities represents one of the main threats for macaques, which will inevitably lead to the future extinction of other species that live in that particular ecosystem. Therefore, protecting the forest homes of Yaki will ensure the survival of the impressive biodiversity of the area (Selamatkan yaki 2011). Moreover, since they play this precious role in forests development; without black macaques the latter would not be as efficient and useful to local communities, which heavily rely on them for their large quantities of particular trees and timber. Saving macaques and keeping them in their natural environment translates into saving a healthy natural ecosystem that humans can enjoy as well, improving the overall well-being of the societies.
Helping the UAPS means collaborating with its partners towards the achievement of the goals set to protect this species. In fact, improving education and raising awareness of local communities and governments, we aim at making them understand the importance of these animals and the preservation of their natural habitat, in the hope of giving them a long-term perspective. In fact, most of the Celebes crested macaques live in protected areas, which are kept as so because of the local biodiversity the provide; therefore, the presence of these animals allows us to “preserve nature from development” (Miur cited in Erckseley 1992: 39) and makes possible for anyone to keep enjoying these magnificent environments. Moreover, the Yaki’s iconic features make them a mascot of the people (Holland 2017), and they play a central role in local folklore; however, many locals keep them as household pets and consider their meat as a delicacy, serving it for important occasions and holidays (Bichell 2011). The enrichment provided by the animals in their natural habitat is by far greater than the local value that communities assign them, which now contribute to their extinction. Educating them about the protection of the species would preserve the great value and well-being that wilderness bring to humans.
Local communities of the Indonesia islands where black macaques can still be found, as well as all other humans, should understand the intrinsic value of these animals and the importance to protect them for the entire ecosystem. Nonetheless, human attitude should get less utilitarian and “protect threatened populations, species, habitats, and ecosystems wherever situated and irrespective of their use value or importance to humans” (Eckersley 1992: 46). All threats to the Yaki derive from human population growth in the area and their activities which lead to huge deforestation and a high unsustainable hunt. By increasing awareness and sustaining locals in the development of alternative livelihood strategies it is possible to mitigate the threat and block the species’ extinction. Comprehensive projects such as the “Macaca Nigra Project” aim at helping local students, villagers, and rangers understand the value of what they are surrounded by, and act to reduce their illegal smuggling (MNP 2011). No matter where macaques are, if they are not as pretty as their similar, if their value is not clear for everyone, these animals deserve to be protected as well as any other animal, all having equal consideration. It is our duty to act now and be aware of their importance, with education laying at the basis of the understanding.
All animals are equal in value, thus black macaques are not less important than other species. They have an incredible economic, cultural, social, and intrinsic value that needs to be protected with all the means we have. Their features’ uniqueness that makes them so bizarre should be the starting point in campaigning towards their preservation; their extinction from the world habitat would represent an unquantifiable loss for which we, as humans, should be ashamed. To help the Ugly Animal Preservation Society in saving crested black macaques around the world means to help our entire world environment and maintain our great planet biodiversity.