PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS MACAQUE POPULATION ALONG THIMPHU PHUENTSHOLING HIGHWAY: IMMINENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND CONSERVATION THREATS

Abstract

Currently, there are seven species of primate recorded in Bhutan. Two species of primates namely the Assamese macaque (Macaca assamensis) and the Hanuman langur (Semnopithecus entellus) are commonly sighted in the western region of the country. There are reports of increasing macaque population along the Thimphu-Phuentsholing highway, with few stray reports on interaction between humans and monkeys. Given the similarity in genetical, physiological and behavioural characteristics, interactions between monkeys and humans can facilitate cross-transmission of pathogens. Pathogen swapping can not only threaten the public health but also pose a potential conservation threat. This study was conducted as an approach to understand the perception of the people on the macaque population along the highway, geo-locate the areas where macaques are commonly sighted, and review the zoonotic pathogens that can be cross transmitted between humans and macaques. The study interviewed 129 participants along the highway using a questionnaire to understand their perception. For reviewing the zoonotic diseases, literatures were collated from google scholar using search terms “macaque” and “zoonosis”. More resources were acquired by checking the references of literature obtained from the google scholar search. Majority of the participants had high tolerance towards macaque in their community. Of the participants who have seen monkey in their locality (n=71), 17 (14%) could recall seeing some form of interactions (people killing monkeys, monkeys biting people) between humans and monkeys while 45 (36%) of them have seen interaction between dogs and monkeys. Hundred and fourteen participants reported that the monkey population is increasing along the highway and 99 (89%) of the participants thought it was due to people feeding food. The study recorded 19 geo-coordinates along the Thimphu-Phuentsholing highway where the macaques were commonly sighted. The literatures review recorded 14 viral diseases, 8 bacterial diseases, 11 parasitic diseases and a fungal disease that are of concern when considering the human macaque interaction. This study provides a preliminary evidence of the people’s perception towards monkey population along the Thimphu Phuentsholing highway and their level of knowledge about the zoonosis associated with macaques. This study also provides geo-location of the common areas where the macaques are commonly sighted which can be useful in displaying public notices for garnering compliances. Furthermore, this study provides an overview of the common zoonoses that are of concern when considering the human macaque interaction.