Mysore/Mysuru: On the afternoon of June 26, passersby near Maharaja’s PU College on JLB Road witnessed a rare sighting—a Rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) perched on the college’s compound wall. While monkeys are commonly seen in Mysuru, this particular species is a rarity in the region.
The Rhesus monkey, identifiable by its golden-brown to grey-brown coloration, climbed a tree adjacent to the old Deputy Commissioner’s Office, capturing the attention of wildlife enthusiasts. Known for their agility in climbing and leaping, these monkeys typically spend most of their time on the ground but take to trees readily.
Rhesus monkeys have the widest geographic distribution among primates, found in countries such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and China. In India, they are prevalent in Rajasthan, the Gangetic Basin, and occasionally in the tropical forests of the southeast. This sighting marks the first recorded presence of a Rhesus monkey in Mysuru, as they are generally limited to North India and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Wildlife enthusiasts speculate that this monkey might have traveled to Mysuru inadvertently, possibly hitching a ride on a goods vehicle from Andhra Pradesh or Telangana. It’s common for Rhesus monkeys to climb onto vegetable trucks, which could explain its unexpected arrival in Mysuru.
The increased population of Rhesus monkeys in North India is forcing them to migrate southward, posing a potential threat to the endemic Bonnet macaque. These monkeys typically live in groups ranging from 20 to 200 and thrive in various climates and habitats. Their diet includes fruits, seeds, roots, herbs, and insects, though they also forage in human-inhabited areas.
The presence of Rhesus monkeys in Karnataka’s zoos is documented, but their existence in the state’s forests remains unclear. This sighting has raised concerns about their expanding population and its impact on local wildlife.
The sighting underscores the adaptability and resilience of Rhesus monkeys, which form social groups with strong lineages and traditions. Males leave their troop upon reaching maturity, while females remain, contributing to the stability of their social structure.
