Lion-Tailed Macaque

News– The lion-tailed macaque, the flagship species and enduring symbol of Silent Valley, is once again under threat due to habitat fragmentation in the Western Ghats.

About Lion-Tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus)

• It is an Old World monkey endemic to the Western Ghats of South India.
• Distribution: Seen across Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
• Size: Among the smallest macaque species.
• Distinctive feature: Easily recognised by its black body, silver-white mane around the face, and a tufted tail.
• Habitat: Prefers tropical evergreen and monsoon forests, mostly occupying the upper forest canopy.
• Behaviour: Arboreal and diurnal in nature; shy and tends to avoid human contact.
• Diet: Omnivorous, with fruits forming the bulk of its diet; also eats leaves, flowers, insects, and small vertebrates.
• Ecological role: A key seed disperser and an important indicator and umbrella species for rainforest health.
• Conservation status:
  • IUCN Red List: Endangered
  • CITES: Appendix I
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

Silent Valley National Park Location: It is located in the Palakkad district of Kerala. Ecological importance: It is one of the last truly undisturbed tropical evergreen rainforests in India, showcasing the rich and fragile ecosystems of the Western Ghats. Historical significance: The park was declared in 1984 after the famous Silent Valley Movement, a landmark environmental struggle that stopped a proposed hydroelectric project on the Kunthipuzha River. Rivers: The Kunthipuzha River flows through the valley, while rivers like the Bhavani also originate in the surrounding region. Landscape & conservation: Silent Valley forms the core of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, part of the UNESCO-recognised Western Ghats, and is characterised by dense evergreen forests, montane forests, and grassland patches.