The Celebes crested macaque (Macaca nigra), also known as the crested black macaque, Sulawesi crested macaque, or the black ape, is an Old World monkey that lives in the tropical regions of north Sulawesi.

Description

Locally known as yaki, wolai, or bolai, its skin and hairless face is, with the exception of some white hair in the shoulder range, entirely jet black. It has a long muzzle with high cheeks, a long hair tuft, or crest, at the top of the head and striking reddish-brown eyes, unusual for a primate. Its life expectancy is estimated at 18 years in the wild, and 34 was the maximum in captivity.

Distribution and habitat

Macaca nigra has around eight subpopulations, with a introduced population on the island of Bacan. M. nigra seems to prefer closed canopy forests, with the occupancy being higher along with protected areas.

Since 2006, the Macaca Nigra Project has been studying the biology and promoting the conservation of this species. The project, a collaboration between the German Primate Centre and the Bogor Agricultural Institute, is run by Antje Engelhardt, and located in the Tangkoko reserve, home of the biggest crested macaque population remaining in the species' original distribution range.

Nevertheless, despite being critically endangered, crested black macaque are still unprotected outside of Tangkoko reserve, and they are regularly hunted and slaughtered. They are easily caught and killed, as they have no fear of humans. Crested black macaque is considered a delicacy by local residents.

In 2013, wildlife cameraman Colin Stafford-Johnson spent time on Sulawesi, filming the monkeys at close quarters for a BBC documentary entitled Meet the Monkeys.

In 2014, considerable discussion of copyright issues was generated by a 'selfie' photograph taken by a Celebes crested macaque.

See also

  • Barbary macaque

References

  • ARKive - images and movies of the crested black macaque (Macaca nigra)
  • Primate Info Net Macaca nigra Factsheet
  • Macaca Nigra Project