Happy macaque day!

Today is International Macaque Day – and we’re marking the occasion by pledging to help save macaques in the wild over the next five years.

As part of DZG’s ongoing conservation work, we’ve committed to support Selamatkan Yaki, a project working out in Indonesia to protect the critically endangered Sulawesi crested black macaque.

We’re backing their vital outreach efforts by helping them purchase new information tents, display stands and boards, as well as educational materials, wristbands and stickers, as they continue their engagement work with local Indonesian communities about the importance of protecting habitats and conserving macaques in the wild.

And our very own Senior Primate Keeper Jodie Dryden (pictured), is the UK regional co-ordinator for the project as well as being on the species committee as part of the European studbook. Jodie has spent a total of two months in Sulawesi in South East Asia working with macaques in the field.

Shockingly, numbers of the old world monkey species, who are only found on the island of Sulawesi, have reduced by 90 per cent over the last three decades, with major threats including extensive habitat loss due to farming and deforestation, as well as the illegal bush meat trade and pet trade.

In recent years, DZG has been closely affiliated with Selamatkan Yaki and we’ve also supported them through the purchase of 30 red-filtered head torches for their conservation rangers working at The Tangkoko Nature Reserve, which has aided their day-to-day work in helping track and care for the species.

Happy International Macaque Day to the wonderful Sulawesi crested black macaques at DZG! We have Tambo, Jasmine and Summer in our breeding group and Simon, Steve and Sophie in our non-breeding group.