Impact of Translocation, Provisioning and Range Restriction on a Group of Macaca thibetana.

We examined the possible long-term impact of translocation and subsequent provisioning and range restriction on recruitment rates in a group of rare Tibetan macaques (Macaca thibetana ) in Anhui Province, China. We compared demographic data recorded in the group (and in its fission products) during the 6 years before and after translocation and in a group with no history of management. We also compared preliminary data related to nutritional condition, habitat characteristics, and group activities. Infant losses markedly increased following translocation and management. Estimated measures of nutritional condition varied more among adults in the managed group than among those in the never managed group, suggesting that members of the managed group may have experienced higher levels of intragroup competition. We hypothesize that increased levels of intragroup competition for provisioned food may have put infants at increased risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]