How does the pest control impact to the wild population of Japanese monkeys?

Abstract

Sex and age compositions of wild Japanese monkeys captured as agricultural pests in Shiga prefecture for 11 years from 1981 to 1991 were studied. The composition of sex and age of 7 wild troops on Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures was also examined for comparison. The rate of males over 4 years old were higher in captured monkeys as agricultural pests than in wild troops. Most of captures as agricultural pests were performed in restricted seasons and areas. Over harvesting will exterminate some local populations of wild Japanese monkeys. We propose a moratorium on the capture as agricultural pests until the monitoring systems on influences to wild populations by captures are established.