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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
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