Dog Attack Long-tailed Macaque Rescued and Released

A few days ago some concerned locals brought a juvenile male long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) into the WFFT Wildlife Hospital for urgent treatment. He had been attacked by a feral dog close to the area in which he was living in Phetchaburi. Attacks on wild animals by feral dogs and cats are very common here in Thailand, they often injure or kill several native wild animals, this can have long term detrimental affect on Thailand’s wild animals. Upon on arrival it was found that this little macaque had numerous puncture wounds from the attack and he was very weak and unresponsive, we feared the worst.

The long-tailed macaque is listed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN Red list of Threatened Species, in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, tolerance of a broad range of habitats, occurrence in a number of protected areas. Although it is under heavy hunting pressure for the pet trade, meat, sport and trophies, this is not considered a major threat to the species overall. Females are often taken into breeding facilities and males are exported internationally primarily for use in laboratory research. They are regularly persecuted as pests. Habitat loss is also a localised threat, but the species can persist in a variety of habitats and very adaptable.

After spending a few days under special care at our Wildlife Hospital we saw great improvements. It was decided that returning him to the wild as soon as he was well enough was the best thing for this special little monkey. Yesterday the team set off to return him home, it was a success as the little monkey scampered off into the trees. This is a happy ending we unfortunately are unable to see for many of the animals that come through our doors, but for this one at least, he is free again!!!