Heck’s macaque  (Macaca hecki)

Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List (1) and listed on Appendix II of CITES (2).

Stout-bodied and strong-limbed, Heck’s macaque is one of several closely related macaque species endemic to Sulawesi in Indonesia (3) (4). Heck’s macaque has a varied pelage comprising a black back, a brownish chest and stomach, dark-brown forearms, and pale brownish-grey hind-limbs (5). The tail is relatively short, and the bare, hardened patches of skin on the rump, termed the ischial callosities, are grey to yellow in colour (5) (6). Where ranges overlap, Heck’s macaque is known to occasionally hybridise with the Tonkean macaque (M. tonkeana), and possibly also the Gorontalo macaque (M. nigrescens), with the hybrids sharing external characteristics of both parent species (1) (5) (6) (7).

Heck’s macaque is restricted to the western part of the northern peninsula of Sulawesi, Indonesia (1) (3).

Occupies primary and secondary tropical rainforest (1).

As one of the least studied of the Sulawesi macaques, very little is known about the ecology of Heck’s macaque (1). However, all Sulawesi macaques appear to be diurnal and primarily frugivorous, while also supplementing their diet with leaves, flowers, insects and other small invertebrates (1) (3) (6). Many of the Sulawesi macaque species are also known to commonly raid cultivated crops for fruit, maize and vegetables (1). 

With a burgeoning human population putting increasing pressure on the local environment, habitat loss and fragmentation present the greatest threat to Heck’s macaque. In addition, this species is also directly persecuted by farmers who consider it to be an agricultural pest (1).

In addition to being listed on CITES Appendix II, which prohibits trade in this species without a permit, Heck’s macaque occurs within at least six protected areas across its range (1) (2). In order to tackle wildlife crime in North Sulawesi, a Wildlife Crimes Unit was established in 2001 by the Indonesian Department of Forestry and the Wildlife Conservation Society. The unit has been highly effective at reducing trade in some protected mammals and is working with local communities to strengthen conservation awareness (8) (9).

View information on this species at the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre.

For further information on conservation in Sulawesi, visit:

• Wildlife Conservation Society:
  http://www.wcs.org/

• IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group:
  http://www.primate-sg.org/