Population Dynamics of Wild Japanese Macaque Troops at Hieizan: Influences of Non-Systematic Provisioning and Dependence on Crops

Abstract

The population dynamics of Japanese macaque troops at Hieizan was studied. Birth rates of Hieizan A and B troops were relatively higher than other wild and provisioned populations, and the infant mortality of the B troop was as low as those of provisioned troops. The B troop was provisioned by tourists and Ootsu city along the Hieizan Driveway. Artificial foods given by tourists were estimated to be more important than Ootsu city provisioning in terms of food quality and feeding time. In winter and spring, when natural foods were scarce or many tourists came to the driveway, the Hieizan B troop depended on artificial foods given by tourists. In summer and autumn, they ate crops and natural foods, such as fruit. The nutritional condition of this troop may have been improved by feeding on these artificial foods, to the same extent as systematically provisioned troops. The relatively high birth rate and low infant mortality of the troops at Hieizan resulted from non-systematic provisioning by tourists, some provisioning by Ootsu city, and depend- ence on crops. This study has great importance for the manage- ment of Japanese macaques at Hieizan. It is neces- sary for the local government to make efforts to stop provisioning, which causes population growth and habituation, and might increase damage to crops by Japanese macaques.