In a landmark initiative for primate conservation, the Tamil Nadu Forest Department is planning to conduct the state’s first-ever dedicated Lion-tailed Macaque Census during January–February 2027. The survey is expected to provide the first comprehensive population estimate of one of India’s most endangered and charismatic primates, laying the foundation for long-term conservation planning.
The lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus), found only in the rainforests of the Western Ghats, is an endemic species whose survival is threatened by habitat fragmentation, road networks, and increasing human disturbance. While several scientific studies have estimated its numbers over the years, this will be the first census organised directly by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department on the lines of its successful statewide surveys of vultures and hornbills.
Four Key Landscapes to be Surveyed
The census is expected to cover the state’s major lion-tailed macaque habitats, including:
Anamalai Tiger Reserve
Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
Theni-Megamalai landscape
Nilgiris Forest Division
Officials believe these landscapes together support a significant proportion of Tamil Nadu’s lion-tailed macaque population.
Scientific Methodology
The census will follow survey methods developed by scientists from the Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON). In Anamalai Tiger Reserve alone, officials plan to establish 32 survey grids, each covering five square kilometres, to systematically document macaque groups and their distribution.
Encouraging Conservation Success
Long-term monitoring in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve has revealed encouraging population growth. Scientific assessments indicate that the macaque population in the monitored landscape increased from about 375 individuals in 2002 to around 800 in 2024, reflecting the benefits of sustained habitat protection and conservation measures.
Experts estimate that Tamil Nadu may now support nearly 1,600 lion-tailed macaques, while additional populations occur in neighbouring Kerala and Karnataka. However, comprehensive field data are still lacking for several forest landscapes, making the proposed census especially significant.
Conservation Beyond Counting
The census is expected to do much more than estimate population numbers. Data collected will help identify priority habitats, assess connectivity between forest fragments, and determine locations where canopy bridges can be installed to enable macaques to cross roads safely. Anamalai Tiger Reserve has already installed canopy bridges at several locations around Valparai to reduce road mortality and improve habitat connectivity.
Researchers have also highlighted the growing problem of tourists feeding lion-tailed macaques, which alters their natural behaviour and increases the risk of accidents. Recommendations include installing speed breakers and deploying staff to regulate traffic and discourage human-wildlife interactions.
A Major Step for India’s Endangered Primate
The proposed census marks a significant milestone in the conservation of the lion-tailed macaque. By generating reliable baseline data, Tamil Nadu aims to strengthen protection strategies for this globally endangered primate and ensure that conservation actions are guided by scientific evidence. If successfully implemented, the initiative could become a model for other states in the Western Ghats, safeguarding one of India’s most unique rainforest species for future generations.
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