Changes observed in daily activities of Hanuman langurs (Semnopithecus entellus entellus) troops due to provisioning

摘要

The genetically isolated population of 1850-1900 langurs (Semnopithecus entellus entellus) around Jodhpur organised in 35 uni-male bisexual troops and 14 all-male bands. The daily movement of five bisexual and two all-male bands of langurs were thoroughly studied for over 6 months (During Jan-July, 2001) and it was observed that there is a clearly demarcated area within which the troops move. It means they have a particular home range. Within the home range, are the areas of preference or core areas where the troops spend most of their time and their daily activities comprise movement, feeding, social grooming and social play including sexual activity are the four major activities. Feeding comprises about 40 percent of the total daily activity ofSemnopithecus entellus entellus. The Hanuman langurs of Jodhpur (Rajasthan) are also provisioned by local people for religious reasons. They Provide them wheat preparation, fruits, nuts and cooked and uncooked food, some time waste and residual food also. Due to the artificial feeding the langurs get infected several diseases such as diarrhea, allergy, dehydration etc. and in females the reproduction cycles are also affected. Their daily schedule of time budget and ranging pattern has been changed. Theanimals became less active, more aggressive and large member of their natural activities affected.