KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 15 -- The long-tailed macaque, one of 95 primate species found in Malaysia, is a familiar sight to locals, often seen in residential areas, estates, parks, and even airports.

Despite their mischievous reputation, these macaques have been listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List since 2022, following a reported 40 per cent global population decline over the past 40 years. If unaddressed, their numbers could drop by at least 50 per cent in the next four decades.

In Malaysia, however, long-tailed macaques are frequently caught in human-wildlife conflict. They face threats ranging from poaching and urban displacement to poisoning by residents frustrated with their presence...