Long-tailed Macaque in Critical Condition

Yesterday some concerned locals brought a severely injured male long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) the the WFFT Wildlife Rescue Centre. He had been found unable to move on the ground by the side of a road in Phetchaburi. Our first assumption was that he had been hit by a car, as this is common in this area. After he was given a check over by our team of vets it appears he has no wounds that would indicate he had been hit by a car. Was he beaten by humans? Did he fall from a tree? We do not know. At the moment it seems he is paralyzed throughout the left side of his body.

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.

He is currently at the WFFT Wildlife Hospital under intensive care. He is eating well but we are currently feeding him by hand. We have seen macaques recover from worst injuries so we are at the moment unsure of the future of this little guy. We will keep you posted on his progress.