The Human-Monkey Conflict: Addressing the Toque Macaque Dilemma in Sri Lanka

In recent years, the toque macaque, or “rilawa,” has become the focal point of heated debates in Sri Lanka. These primates, endemic to the island, have been labeled as significant culprits in crop damage, causing substantial economic losses for farmers. The issue took a controversial turn when Minister K.D. Lal Kantha of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation made a bold statement advocating for unrestricted measures to protect farmlands from wildlife. This declaration sparked an outcry from environmental protection agencies, leading to a national conversation about sustainable solutions.

Root Causes of Human-Monkey Conflicts

“Now, the expansion of the human population and crop cultivation, deforestation, habitat degradation, reduced predator pressure, and climate change are making the common space more competitive.” Mongabay 

The human-monkey conflict in Sri Lanka is deeply rooted in habitat encroachment and resource competition. Rapid deforestation for agriculture, urbanization, and infrastructure projects has reduced the natural habitats of toque macaques, forcing them to venture into human settlements. As highlighted in research from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, fragmented forests and shrinking food sources compel these primates to forage in farmlands, leading to frequent clashes with farmers. Read here 

Additionally, certain traditional farming practices inadvertently attract monkeys. Crops like bananas, maize, and papayas are especially appealing to these primates, increasing the likelihood of conflict. According to research published in the British Journal of Conflict Studies, these conflicts are most severe in regions with high agricultural activity, such as the North Central Province. Read here 

Monkeys and giant squirrels cause the destruction of nearly 100 million coconuts annually in Sri Lanka, resulting in an estimated loss of 6,638 million Sri Lankan rupees ($19.3 million), according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Source: Mongabay 

Ministerial Controversy

Minister Lal Kantha’s recent remarks advocating for aggressive measures against wildlife sparked widespread criticism from conservationists. While the minister emphasized the need to protect farmers, his statement ignored the ecological importance of toque macaques and the potential backlash from international conservation organizations. Sri Lanka’s biodiversity, recognized globally, could suffer irreparable harm if such measures are implemented indiscriminately. Watch his parliamentary speech on 05.12.2024 on below video .

However, few days ago , 15.12.2024, he successfully defended his controversial statement by explaining both side strategies require to maintain a balance between environmental sustainability and agriculture. He further explains short-term strategies are essential rather than long-term strategies. Watch here

Exporting Monkeys to China

“Govt to Reconsider Exporting Toque Macaque Monkeys to China”, Ceylon Today

Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Lal Kantha has said the government is ready to take up the discussion again on exporting Toque Macaque monkeys to China as one of the options to resolve the monkey menace. Read here

The Sri Lankan government considers exporting its native toque macaque monkeys to Chinese zoos as a potential solution to human-wildlife conflicts. Source: Telegraph Media Group

However, the proposal to export toque macaque monkeys to China as a solution to human-monkey conflict raises serious ethical concerns. These primates are not only endemic to Sri Lanka but also play a vital role in maintaining the country’s ecological balance through seed dispersal and forest regeneration. Exporting them for unspecified purposes risks subjecting them to potentially inhumane conditions, including captivity or exploitation in laboratories, zoos, or the exotic pet trade. Moreover, such actions disregard their intrinsic value as sentient beings and undermine Sri Lanka’s commitment to biodiversity conservation. 

Rather than exporting monkeys, sustainable and humane conflict mitigation strategies, such as habitat restoration, fertility control programs, and community education, should be prioritized. International criticism and potential backlash from conservation groups could also harm Sri Lanka’s global reputation. Ethical governance requires exploring solutions that uphold both environmental integrity and humane treatment of wildlife, rather than resorting to practices that commodify native species.

Read also: Legal Aspects & Detailed Analysis Regarding the Option of Exporting Toque Monkeys

Read also: Real Story of Toque Macaque Sterilization in Matale District,Sri Lanka

Short-Term Solutions

Several immediate interventions can mitigate the human-monkey conflict while safeguarding biodiversity:

1. Non-Lethal Deterrents: Farmers in Anuradhapura have successfully used auditory and visual deterrents, such as loud noises and reflective tapes, to reduce crop losses. These methods have been effective in repelling macaques during harvesting periods. Read here 
2. Barrier Techniques: Installing electric fences and netting around farmlands has shown promise in regions like Polonnaruwa. For example, the use of electric fencing reduced crop damage by 60% in certain districts. Read here 
3. Sterilization Programs: Sri Lanka has experimented with non-invasive contraceptive methods, such as intrauterine devices (IUDs), to control monkey populations humanely. Pilot programs in the Southern Province are currently underway, aiming to evaluate their feasibility. Read here 

Long-Term Solutions

For sustainable coexistence, long-term strategies must focus on ecological restoration and community engagement:

1. Habitat Restoration: Reforestation and the creation of wildlife corridors can reduce the pressure on toque macaques to encroach on human settlements. In the Central Highlands, NGOs have initiated programs to reconnect fragmented forests, yielding positive results. Read here 
2. Community Education: Raising awareness among farmers about monkey behavior and mitigation techniques fosters coexistence. Training programs, such as those in Polonnaruwa, have successfully equipped communities with the knowledge to handle conflicts effectively. Read here 
3. Integrated Land Use Policies: Promoting agroforestry and mixed cropping systems minimizes the attractiveness of farmlands to monkeys. Studies suggest that incorporating fewer appealing crops, like legumes, into farming practices can significantly reduce conflict.

Read Also: Culling Animals in Sri Lanka may not be the Answer

The Climate Change Factor

Climate change exacerbates the human-monkey conflict by altering ecosystems and food availability. Rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall patterns have disrupted the natural food cycles of toque macaques, pushing them closer to human settlements. Research from the University of Peradeniya highlights how prolonged dry spells in the North Central Province have disrupted forest productivity, increasing macaque reliance on farmlands. Read here An another research done by some academic of Peradeniya university,monitoring the  changes of toque macaques behaviour in university promise found that temperature variabilities impacts to their moving patterns.It means to save the energy in higher temperatures ,they tend to stay in one particular area for a long time which can cause to intensify human wildlife conflict .More details can be read here And it`s also a well known fact that climate change  contributing to habitat loss  of animals , it can also pave the way for macaques` movements to human settlements to find the new habitats . 

Conclusion

Resolving the human-monkey conflict in Sri Lanka requires a comprehensive and ethical approach that balances agricultural productivity with wildlife conservation. Short-term measures such as deterrents, fencing, and sterilization programs can provide immediate relief to farmers, while long-term strategies like habitat restoration, community education, and integrated land-use policies are essential to establish sustainable coexistence. Furthermore, addressing the role of climate change in exacerbating this conflict is crucial, as altering ecosystems and food availability continues to drive these interactions.

Exporting toque macaques as a solution not only raises serious ethical concerns but also threatens the ecological balance of Sri Lanka. Policymakers must prioritize humane and scientifically grounded methods to mitigate conflicts without compromising the country’s biodiversity. Collaboration between government agencies, conservationists, and local communities is essential to develop and implement policies that reflect both environmental integrity and the needs of affected farmers. By embracing innovative and sustainable practices, Sri Lanka can ensure a harmonious coexistence between its human and wildlife populations, preserving its natural heritage for future generations.