Sulawesi Crested Macaques
Selamatkan Yaki! Save Sulawesi macaques!
In their native island of Sulawesi, Indonesia, the Sulawesi crested black macaques (Macaca nigra) are called Yaki. Yaki are one of seven endemic (i.e. found noweher else in the world) macaque species on the island but all are threatened with extinction mainly due to loss of their forest habitat and hunting. Yaki are under greatest threat and are classified as critically endangered in IUCN redlist (see www.redlist.org for more information).The WWCT is actively working on an integrated conservation programme to save Yaki. Dr Vicky Melfi in the Field Conservation and Research Department co-ordinates the European captive breeding programme for this species in zoos across Europe. In Sulawesi she works with the University of Sam Ratulangi and the German Primate Research Centre to help conserve yaki habitat and reduce the other threats which are currently causing the population to decline.
Conserving the habitat of the Yaki is vital for them but also benefits many other species. The Island of Sulawesi is the largest in the Wallacea region which is an area where Asian and Australasian flora and fauna meet. The wildlife of this area is unique and Wallacea is one of 25 global biodiversity hotspots due to its high number of endemic plants and animals. Sulawesi has the greatest endemism in Indonesia and it is estimated that 25% of its bird species and 62% of its mammal species, (98% excluding bats) are unique to this island. Other unique but critically endangered Sulawesi animals include the babyrusa (Babyrousa celebensis), anoa (Bubalus depressicournis), maleo (Macrocephalon maleo), Sulawesi forest turtle (Leucocephalon yuwonoi). Despite the importance of this island for biodiversity it still does not get its fair share of conservation funding put into Indonesia.
In their native island of Sulawesi, Indonesia, the Sulawesi crested black macaques (Macaca nigra) are called Yaki. Yaki are one of seven endemic (i.e. found noweher else in the world) macaque species on the island but all are threatened with extinction mainly due to loss of their forest habitat and hunting. Yaki are under greatest threat and are classified as critically endangered in IUCN redlist (see www.redlist.org for more information).The WWCT is actively working on an integrated conservation programme to save Yaki. Dr Vicky Melfi in the Field Conservation and Research Department co-ordinates the European captive breeding programme for this species in zoos across Europe. In Sulawesi she works with the University of Sam Ratulangi and the German Primate Research Centre to help conserve yaki habitat and reduce the other threats which are currently causing the population to decline.
Conserving the habitat of the Yaki is vital for them but also benefits many other species. The Island of Sulawesi is the largest in the Wallacea region which is an area where Asian and Australasian flora and fauna meet. The wildlife of this area is unique and Wallacea is one of 25 global biodiversity hotspots due to its high number of endemic plants and animals. Sulawesi has the greatest endemism in Indonesia and it is estimated that 25% of its bird species and 62% of its mammal species, (98% excluding bats) are unique to this island. Other unique but critically endangered Sulawesi animals include the babyrusa (Babyrousa celebensis), anoa (Bubalus depressicournis), maleo (Macrocephalon maleo), Sulawesi forest turtle (Leucocephalon yuwonoi). Despite the importance of this island for biodiversity it still does not get its fair share of conservation funding put into Indonesia.