Hani Pontororing, MSc student, Universitas Sam Ratulangi, Manado, Indonesia and Giyarto, Universitas Gadja Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia - 2007 completed
The Sulawesi macaques have only rarely been studied in the wild and knowledge about their ecological characteristics as well as flexibility, vulnerability and response to habitat disturbance and human contact is still largely missing though essential for conservation actions. This study aims at characterising the ecology of two macaque groups living in a semi-disturbed habitat. The home range of both groups comprises primary and secondary forest as well as scrub/grassland. We collected data on daily activity, spatial and feeding behaviour of individuals distinguishing between three age/sex classes (adult males, adult females, juveniles). Data collected during the dry season (H.P.) has been compared with data of the rainy season (G.) and with data formerly collected in this area to identify differences in behaviour due to changes in environment.