Rhesus macaque  (Macaca mulatta)

Whilst the rhesus macaque is threatened in the wild, a large captive population is maintained around the world for use in biological, psychological and medicinal research, especially for studies into perception, learning and behaviour. In the wild, the rhesus macaque is a generalist with great adaptability, allowing it to make the most of changes in land use. In India they are known for crop-raiding but their status as sacred animals in the Hindu religion prevents persecution by humans (4). Interspecies breeding is known to occur but appears to have no effect on the offspring's fertility, as other interspecies crosses usually do (6).

Continued research and monitoring of this species' behaviour, population status and range is necessary to foresee declines as a result of land use change across southern and Southeast Asia (1).