The feral macaques in Hong Kong have been a problem since the late 1970's. Nuisances have always been reported. Prior to the construction and implementation of the management strategies, these macaques have been studied intensively for 2 years commencing in 1992. At the end of 1993, the estimated abundance was 690 in 8 social groups in Kowloon Hills with a standard error of mean of 2.96; 43 in 2 groups in Shing Mun Country Park and 32 in 1 group in Tai PO Kau Nature Reserve. Together with the 23 solitary males in the other locations, the total estimated abundance is 788. Birth rate of the Kowloon Hills macaques was 40.5 in 1992 and 52.0 in 1993. Mean adult sex ratio (M:F) was 1:2.2 for social groups and 1:1.6 including all solitary males with a variance of 0.26. The chief macaque kille...[ Read more ]

The feral macaques in Hong Kong have been a problem since the late 1970's. Nuisances have always been reported. Prior to the construction and implementation of the management strategies, these macaques have been studied intensively for 2 years commencing in 1992. At the end of 1993, the estimated abundance was 690 in 8 social groups in Kowloon Hills with a standard error of mean of 2.96; 43 in 2 groups in Shing Mun Country Park and 32 in 1 group in Tai PO Kau Nature Reserve. Together with the 23 solitary males in the other locations, the total estimated abundance is 788. Birth rate of the Kowloon Hills macaques was 40.5 in 1992 and 52.0 in 1993. Mean adult sex ratio (M:F) was 1:2.2 for social groups and 1:1.6 including all solitary males with a variance of 0.26. The chief macaque killer was road accidents. 86 dead bodies were found in 1992 and 1993: These contributed to the 'missing rate' of 9.8 and 10.58. Population growth was 5.57% in 1992 and 7.81% in 1993. Macaque species found were rhesus (M mulutru) 65.3%; longtailed (M. fascicularis) 2.2%; Tibetan (M. thibetana) 0.2%; and hybrids 32.3% with a mean variance of 3.1. Home ranges occupied 2.15km² in Kowloon Hills, 2.05 in Shing Mun and 0.99 in Tai PO Kau. The release of rhesus macaques in the 1910's was related to a local poisonous plant: the strychnos. Macaques were believed to rely partially on provisioned food and partially on natural food. 163 macaque food plant species were found. A vegetation survey showed that the macaque food plants linear coverage was 60.68%; species: 54.69%; relative density: 55.01; relative dominance: 60.68 and relative frequency 55.79. The mean frequency of aggression towards humans was 0.3 events per hour. In a visitor survey, 75% of visitors supported legislation on the feeding ban.