Some Animals in my Day

So many animals interact so seamlessly in our days, that often one doesn't even notice. Bonnet Macaque Monkeys are part and parcel of life in Tiruvannamalai, and not a day goes past that one doesn't see the urbanised monkey living its life side by side with its human brethren.







Most Bonnet Macaque Monkeys are mischievous and opportunistic, and I was very glad to have my camera to hand so I could take snaps of this naughty little imp engaged in a motorbike heist. The monkey noticed me watching, but as soon as he understood that my attention was more admiring than admonishing, he continued with his snack larceny.







Then I returned home and picked up my doggies for a nice walk on the Samudram Erie. And what a pretty day. See how everything is green and iridescent?






And here are three of my doggies hanging around waiting for movement. My other doggies are close by.






The Samudram Erie is almost dry except for some rather nice large puddles which make the grazing Water Buffaloes very happy.







And as I was watching the Water Buffaloes, a beautiful Brahminy Kite flew over my head. To find out more about the Brahminy Kite and to view photographs, go to this link here.







In these parts the Brahminy Kite is believed to be a manifestation of Lord Vishnu's Vahana (vehicle), the Garuda. To read about Garuda Mythology go to this link here.






A very beautiful day, which was made even more beautiful by the lovely animals of Arunachala.

Human Influence on Local Monkeys

Below the four photographs is a short extract of a narrative taken from a Report entitled, “Measures of Human Influence in Habitats of South Asian Monkeys” The Report which attempts to define the potential influence of humans on monkey habitats and behaviour in South Asia, is based on four variables: description of the home range, level of harassment of the animals, habituation of the animals to humans, and the presence of predators.

In addition to this particular cited Report, many studies have been undertaken on the consequences of human disturbance upon non-human primates. In the case of Tiruvannamalai District, the most common non-human primates are the Bonnet Macaque and Langur Monkeys. Even though most of the monkeys around the Tiruvannamalai area are accustomed to the proximity of humans; groups within the area differ in their response to people based on past experience and learned behavior within the group.

Socialised Bonnet Macaque at
Ramana Ashram

Bonnet Macaque living off the
Girivalam Roadway

Langur Monkeys at
Pavala Kundru Temple

Extract from Report:

"Briefly the monkeys’ response to humans falls into four basic categories:

(1) Wild. The monkeys flee and hide when humans appear. Such an extreme reaction would be expected in areas where humans are encountered infrequently but would also include the rare cases where monkeys have been hunted. Habituation of such animals is extremely difficult.

(2) Semi habituated. The monkeys move away when humans actually approach, but are accustomed to occasionally disinterested human traffic through their habitat (as in the case of woodcutters).

(3) Habituated. The monkeys are accustomed to human presence, although they usually do not tolerate people coming too close to them unless food is thrown.

(4) Habituated and Routinely Commensal. The monkeys do not move away at benign human approach and are able to mingle with humans with minimal caution. They typically live on human refuse and provisioning."

To read the full report in PDF format, please click the following link:
Measures of Human Influence in Habitats of South Asian Monkeys

Animals at Arunachala

Fido on Arunachala looking at the world

Glad for the rest from pulling that cart!

Is this angle okay?

Ahhhh!

I've always wanted to be a jockey!

Peacock fanning atop Ramana Ashram