Meghalaya State Zoo Achieves First-Ever Breeding Success of Vulnerable Stump-tailed Macaque

Why in News?

The Meghalaya State Zoo recorded its first successful breeding of the vulnerable Stump-tailed Macaque, marking an important conservation achievement in Meghalaya.

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Key Facts

• The species involved is the Stump-tailed Macaque (Macaca arctoides).
• This is the first successful breeding of the species at the Meghalaya State Zoo.
• The breeding pair was brought from the Aizawl Zoological Park through an animal exchange programme.
• The species is listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.
• Major threats include:
  • Habitat loss
  • Habitat fragmentation
  • Human disturbances
• The breeding success supports ex-situ conservation efforts.
• The event was highlighted by D. Sathiyan, PCCF (Wildlife & Biodiversity) and Chief Wildlife Warden, Meghalaya.

Exam-Relevant Concepts

Stump-tailed Macaque

Scientific Name

Macaca arctoides

Distribution in India

Found mainly in:

• Northeast India
• Assam
• Meghalaya
• Arunachal Pradesh
• Nagaland
• Mizoram
• Tripura

Characteristics

• Short tail (“stump tail”)
• Dark brown to black fur
• Social primate species
• Inhabits tropical and subtropical forests

IUCN Red List Categories (Important for MCS)

From lower to higher threat:

1. Least Concern (LC)
2. Near Threatened (NT)
3. Vulnerable (VU)
4. Endangered (EN)
5. Critically Endangered (CR)
6. Extinct in the Wild (EW)
7. Extinct (EX)

Stump-tailed Macaque Status: Vulnerable (VU).

Ex-situ Conservation

Meaning

Conservation of species outside their natural habitat.

Examples

• Zoos
• Botanical gardens
• Seed banks
• Captive breeding programmes

Importance

• Prevents extinction
• Maintains genetic diversity
• Supports reintroduction into the wild

The breeding success at Meghalaya State Zoo is an example of ex-situ conservation.

MCS Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Recently, Meghalaya State Zoo achieved its first successful breeding of which species?

A. Hoolock Gibbon
B. Slow Loris
C. Stump-tailed Macaque
D. Golden Langur

Answer: C. Stump-tailed Macaque

Q2. The scientific name of the Stump-tailed Macaque is:

A. Macaca mulatta
B. Macaca arctoides
C. Semnopithecus entellus
D. Hoolock leuconedys

Answer: B. Macaca arctoides

Q3. The Stump-tailed Macaque is classified as ______ in the IUCN Red List.

A. Near Threatened
B. Endangered
C. Vulnerable
D. Critically Endangered

Answer: C. Vulnerable

Q4. The breeding pair of Stump-tailed Macaque was brought from:

A. Guwahati Zoo
B. Nandankanan Zoo
C. Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park
D. Aizawl Zoological Park

Answer: D. Aizawl Zoological Park

Q5. Which of the following is an example of ex-situ conservation?

1. National Park
2. Wildlife Sanctuary
3. Zoo
4. Biosphere Reserve

Select the correct answer:

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 3 only
C. 2 and 4 only
D. 1, 2 and 4 only

Answer: B. 3 only

Q6. Consider the following statements:

1. The Stump-tailed Macaque is listed as Vulnerable by IUCN.
2. The species faces threats from habitat loss and fragmentation.
3. Meghalaya State Zoo has recorded its first breeding success of the species.

Which statements are correct?

A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: D. 1, 2 and 3