The wildlife panel recommended reinstating the Rhesus Macaque in Schedule 2 of Wildlife Protection Act
About Rhesus macaque:
The rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta), also known as the rhesus monkey, is an Old World monkey species.
Distribution & Habitat: Widely distributed across India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Southeast Asia.
Behaviour & Diet:
oOmnivorous: feeds on fruits, seeds, leaves, insects, and human food scraps.
oHighly intelligent, exhibits tool use, problem-solving, and social learning.
oKnown for conflicts with humans in urban and temple areas due to scavenging.
IUCN Status: Least Concern
Threats include habitat loss, urbanization, human-wildlife conflict, and capture for research/entertainment.
IAS-2026 - OPTIONAL / GEOGRAPHY / PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION / SOCIOLOGY / ANTHROPOLOGY / ORIENTATION ON 03 & 04-10-2025 
