Saturday, 9 March 2013

RID 9010 - ROTARACT CLUB OF CASA ELFIDA

Barbary Macaques:
Known for being one of the most caring species, the Barbary macaque or Maccaca Sylvanus is one of the world’s old monkey species. Originated from Europe, Barbary macaque today is restricted to isolated forest fragments in Morocco and Algeria. The specie today is threated and its population is estimated to only 10000 individuals between both countries.

The Maccaca Sylvanus is classified as the only African representative of the 19 extant species. It is the only surviving primate in Africa. In Morocco, the Maccaca sylvanus can be found in Northen mountains of the country and in the Middle and High Atlas mountains., more specifically in the Bou Tferda Valley through Demnate all the way to the Ourika Valley. Because of its small number and major habitat reduction, the Barbary macaque lives in groups of up to 80 individuals of both sexes, surrounded by a highly promiscuous mating system. Its diet consists mostly of oak and cedar as major component, and then comes fruits, tree leaves and other plant parts.
The Barbary macaque has been formally recognized by the World Conservation Union in 2012 as a vulnerable taxon. In the early 1980’s, it was estimated that 65- 75% of the world’s remaining population of Maccaca Sylvanus lived in the cedar forest area of the central Middle Atlas, which represents the largest refuge of the North African ecosystem. But over the last years, the population’s density of Maccaca Sylvanus decreased at a very high rate. In 2005, surveys showed an average of 15 to 20 individuals in the Middle Atlas per km 2. By 2006, surveys conducted a massive decline in the density by 80%, allowing 0 to 1 specie km 2. The national forestry department in Morocco today works to raise public awareness about this animal, trying to reduce illegal trades and commercial issues of this specie.

Rotaract Club of Casa Elfida – RID 9010 MOROCCO

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