ProSPER.Net Joint Research Project: One Health Approach in Long-Tailed Macaques Conservation and Zoonotic Potential from Molecular and Social Perspective in Tourism Places of Bali and Yogyakarta
Although in some places long-tailed macaques are often seen as a nuisance to human activities, in some tourism objects, long-tailed macaques have become very important icons, with their existence used as an attraction for tourists to visit the place.
Bali and Yogyakarta are the cities with most tourist attractions in Indonesia. In the province of Bali, the presence of long-tailed macaques as a lure for tourists can be found in Uluwatu, Monkey Forest Ubud and Sangeh. Meanwhile in Yogyakarta, the presence of long-tailed macaques in such a tourist area is in Kaliurang. The existence of a herd of long-tailed macaques in tourist areas, on the one hand, has been beneficial because it has become a tourist commodity, which improves the wealth of the communities surrounding the areas, but on the other hand, cautions are needed because long-tailed macaques have been reported to attack and bite visitors. In severe cases, they rob the visitors' belongings and intimidate people, especially children. The possibility of disease transmission from monkeys to visitors is also another potential problem that arises due to the genetic similarity to humans which can transfer zoonotic diseases (disease from animals to humans and vice versa). Thus, One Health Approach, a transdisciplinary approach e.g. Veterinary Medicine, Anthropology (Social and Cultural Sciences), and Natural Science (Molecular Biology), is urgently needed in tourism places in Bali and Yogyakarta to protect the communal health and sustainable communities alongside with the animals' conservation.
The ProSPER.Net joint research project, 'One Health Approach in Long-Tailed Macaques Conservation and Zoonotic Potential from Molecular and Social Perspective in Tourism Places of Bali and Yogyakarta', aims to provide the best approach to empowerment programs according to the One Health Approach to maintain the health of humans, animals, especially long-tailed macaques, and environment. Additionally, the One Health Approach is needed for the long-tailed macaques to have good relationships with humans and maintain their sustainability as well as maintain the sustainability of the tourism place.
The project will be led by Universitas Gadjah Mada, working with members from Hokkaido University and Mahidol University. Read more
