The Unexpected Presence: Monkeys In Afghanistan's Mountainous Regions

Afghanistan is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including monkeys. There are two types of monkeys native to the country: the Himalayan Gray Langur and the Rhesus Macaque, also known as the Nepal Gray Langur and the Nepal Sacred Langur, respectively. These monkeys thrive in various habitats, from grasslands to wooded regions and tropical forests, and can even be found in urban areas. They are known for their energetic and social nature, with troops of up to 200 individuals. While they typically feed on fruits, roots, bark, and bugs, they have also been known to scavenge through garbage cans in search of food.

The presence of monkeys in Afghanistan poses certain risks, particularly to US military troops deployed in the region. Between 2001 and 2011, a total of 643 animal bites were reported among US military members, with 10 of those being monkey bites. Monkey bites can cause serious infections and spread diseases such as rabies, tetanus, and the Herpes B virus. As a result, the US military has had to re-evaluate its approach to preventing and treating animal bites, especially in close collaboration with the Afghan population.

The Rhesus Macaque, a species of monkey in Afghanistan, is known to bite humans and spread diseases like rabies and tetanus

Afghanistan is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including monkeys. One species of monkey found in Afghanistan is the Rhesus Macaque, also known as the Rhesus Monkey. These monkeys are native to the country and are known to thrive in various habitats, including grasslands, wooded regions, and tropical forests. They are highly social and energetic, often playing on the ground and in the trees. They communicate using facial expressions, body postures, vocalisations, and gestures.

The Rhesus Macaque has posed a significant risk to US military members in Afghanistan, with several reported cases of bites and infections. Between September and December 2011, there were 126 reported animal bites and exposures, 10 of which were monkey bites. The monkeys implicated in these attacks were mostly kept as pets by Afghan civilians and security forces, as well as some US military members.

The bites from Rhesus Macaques can cause serious infections and spread diseases like rabies and tetanus. They can also lead to physical trauma and infection with the B-virus (Macacine herpesvirus 1) and oral bacteria (including Clostridium tetani). As a result, the US military has recognised the need for increased awareness, training, and reporting regarding animal bites to ensure proper treatment and prevent potential health risks.

The Rhesus Macaque is also widely used in medical and biological research and has played a significant role in scientific discoveries, including vaccines for smallpox, polio, and rabies, as well as medications to treat HIV/AIDS.

There are two types of monkeys in Afghanistan: the Himalayan Gray Langur and the Rhesus Macaque

The Himalayan Gray Langur

The Himalayan Gray Langur, scientifically known as *Semnopithecus schistaceus*, is a leaf-eating monkey that is endemic to the Himalayan region. It has a brown-grey coat with lighter undersides and long white hair framing its deep black face. These monkeys are speedy runners and can leap up to 5 metres (16.4 feet) with their strong hind limbs. They enjoy a varied diet of leaves, fruits, insects, and even dirt to get their daily salt and mineral fix. Langurs are social creatures, with female langurs typically getting along well with each other, while males can be more unpredictable and prone to fighting.

The Himalayan Gray Langur is considered endangered, with a dwindling population of around 250 mature individuals and a total population of 500. They face threats such as habitat fragmentation, deforestation, persecution, and retaliatory killing due to crop raiding.

The Rhesus Macaque

The Rhesus Macaque, or *Macaca mulatta*, is a species of Old World monkey native to South, Central, and Southeast Asia. They are brown or grey in colour and have pink faces devoid of fur. These monkeys are highly adaptable and can be found in a diverse range of habitats, from grasslands to arid and forested areas, often in close proximity to human settlements. Rhesus macaques are social creatures, living in groups of up to 200 individuals. They are primarily herbivores, feeding on fruits, seeds, roots, bark, and even human food and trash in urban areas.

The Rhesus Macaque has played a significant role in medical and biological research, contributing to the development of vaccines for rabies, smallpox, and polio, as well as medication to treat HIV/AIDS. They are listed as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List due to their wide distribution and presumed large population.

The Rhesus Macaque is also known as the Rhesus Monkey

The Rhesus Macaque, also known as the Rhesus Monkey, is a species of Old World monkey. They are native to South, Central, and Southeast Asia and have the widest geographic range of all non-human primates, occupying a great diversity of altitudes and a variety of habitats, from grasslands to arid and forested areas. They are also found near human settlements.

Rhesus macaques are highly social, with troops comprising 20-200 individuals. They are mostly herbivorous, feeding mainly on fruit, but also eating seeds, roots, buds, bark, and cereals. They are also known to eat human food and trash.

Rhesus macaques have been used extensively in medical and biological research on human and animal health-related topics. They have played a significant role in scientific discoveries, including vaccines for smallpox, polio, and rabies and in medication to treat HIV/AIDS.

The Himalayan Gray Langur is endemic to the Himalayan region and has long white hair framing deep black faces

The Himalayan Gray Langur (Semnopithecus schistaceus) is a species of monkey native to the Himalayan region, including Afghanistan. It has long white hair framing its deep black face and a brown-grey coat with a lighter underside. It is both terrestrial and arboreal, spending time on the ground and in trees. The Himalayan Gray Langur is an excellent runner and a strong jumper, able to leap up to five meters with its powerful hind limbs.

The species is considered endangered due to its restricted range and habitat destruction caused by human activity, such as agriculture and construction projects. They are also threatened by overgrazing, deforestation, and commercial horticulture expansion. Conservation efforts are needed to protect this endangered primate, including wild population management, monitoring, public education, and limiting factor management.

The Himalayan Gray Langur has a varied diet, consuming leaves, fruits, insects, and even dirt to obtain minerals and salt. Interestingly, they eat the leaves of strychnine trees, which are highly toxic, but counter the poison by consuming gum from Kulu trees, which acts as a natural laxative.

These monkeys are social, with female langurs typically having positive relationships, while males can be more unpredictable and prone to fighting. Despite their social nature, they are generally quiet and spend their nights sleeping in trees, usually selecting the highest branches.

The Himalayan Gray Langur plays an important role in the food chains of many forest ecosystems, and their conservation is crucial for maintaining the homeostasis of these ecosystems.

The Rhesus Macaque is native to Afghanistan and is widely used in medical and biological research

The Rhesus Macaque, or Macaque Mulatta, is a species of Old World monkey native to South, Central, and Southeast Asia. It is found in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Rhesus Macaques have the widest geographic range of any non-human primate, occupying a great diversity of altitudes and habitats, from grasslands to arid and forested areas, but also close to human settlements. They are highly adaptable and can be found in both rural and urban areas.

Rhesus Macaques are widely used in medical and biological research due to their close evolutionary relationship with humans. They have been critical in developing vaccines for rabies, smallpox, and polio, as well as medication to treat HIV/AIDS. They have also been used in studies on aging, atherosclerosis, alcoholism, diabetes, cancer, and myocarditis. Their susceptibility to Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) and their homology to the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes make them valuable in HIV research.

Rhesus Macaques are diurnal, arboreal, and terrestrial. They are highly social and live in groups of up to 200 individuals. They are omnivores, with a diet consisting of fruits, seeds, roots, bark, and even insects. They are also known for their mischievous behaviour and have been observed stealing food and breaking into homes in India.

Rhesus Macaques are listed as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List, but their wild populations are threatened. Captive breeding programs help ensure a steady supply of these important research subjects.

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