Macaques in Indonesia are not protected by law. Their population continues to decline owing to hunting and exploitation for entertainment such as topeng monyet (masked monkey.) Street performances involving these monkeys can be found in most large cities in Indonesia. The monkeys are caught from the wild and suffer terrible cruelty during the ‘training’ period to learn the tricks they are then forced to perform. They go on to lead a horrific life of mental and physical abuse to earn money for their captors.
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Macaque troop size
Individuals sometime travel in large troops of up to 30.
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average life span
Macaques live for up to 30 years in the wild.
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Weight of macaque
On average, macaques weigh between 3-9kg
Saving Macaques
The macaque rescue project focuses on the welfare and protection of macaques, particularly those exploited in the illegal pet trade or used for street performances. These intelligent, social primates are often subjected to extreme cruelty – taken from the wild and trained through violence and fear to perform for tourists or beg on the streets.
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Our Macaque Conservation Work
Through our partnership with YIARI, we work to rescue and rehabilitate these macaques, providing expert veterinary care, socialisation, and natural enclosures that allow them to regain their physical and psychological health. Alongside rescue and rehabilitation, YIARI also campaigns for legal reforms and collaborates with local authorities to end the trade in primates for entertainment and pets.
