Macaques are highly intelligent primates that live across Asia and North Africa. Their proximity to human populations creates complex welfare challenges including conflict, disease transmission, and exploitation.
Wild macaques suffer in multiple ways from human proximity. Conflict situations often result in culling programs that cause painful deaths. Infant macaques separated from mothers for the pet trade experience severe psychological trauma. Trained coconut-picking macaques are typically kept chained in inadequate conditions. Urban-dwelling macaques face chronic stress from unpredictable human interactions. Conservation programs that reduce conflict through waste management and community education reduce suffering without lethal control.