An Observational Study on Behaviour of Rhesus Monkey (Macaca mulatta) Near Human Residence in Uttar Pradesh, India

The current trend of Rhesus monkey movement towards human settlement is alarming in India. The behaviour of monkey is changing for better adaptation near human residence. The aim of this work was to assess the behaviour and to record the negative impact of monkeys near human residence. The study was conducted during January 2021 to December 2021 on 150 monkeys (approximate value) for a period of one year, Rajiv Gandhi South Campus, Banaras Hindu University, Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, India. The direct observational method was used in present study to assess behaviour of monkeys. The territorial behaviour, feeding, grooming, clashes within group, playing, sleeping, arboreality, reproduction, interaction with human, communication, interaction with dogs, and peculiar behaviours were observed during study period. The monkeys had well defined territories, diverse feeding habits, groomed each other during rest hours and had better communication skill. The area dominated by monkeys leads to economic losses and affected the physical and mental health of human.