The present distribution of Japanese macaques in Hyogo prefecture was examined in an analysis from the results of questionnaires. Japanense macaque groups in Hyogo prefecture were found to inhabit the same 5 of the 6 regions in previous investigations. The other region was the area monkeys inhabited before 1970, and did not inhabit in the 1970's, but were again found after the mid 1980's. The reason why monkey groups in that particular area were found again in recent years is as follows; monkeys were forced to stay in the western part of the forest due to the clearing a forest of the eastern part. Therefore, they were seldom seen in the 1970's. Eventually, they moved back to the original area and appeared in places people could easily find them. Over time, the agriculutural damage done by monkeys expanded. The reason being is that some farmers changed part of their rice field to crops that monkeys like to eat. The plantation and urbanization of mountain villages also contributed to the damage. In some of the areas monkey groups continuously inhabited, many were captured and a number of groups were suspected to have declined, but no extinction of local troop was recognized. The number of monkeys inhabiting Hyogo prefecture was estimated to be roughly around 800 to 1, 100.
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