The Sundarbans has transformed into a vibrant playground for rhesus macaques, locally known as khaki monkeys, as they indulge in a seasonal feast of keora fruits amid the fading autumn landscape. On Thursday morning (November), troops of monkeys were observed leaping enthusiastically from branch to branch along the banks of the Koyra River, their sleek coats and robust physiques reflecting a period of abundant nourishment. However, the playful primates quickly vanished deep into the mangrove forest upon sensing human presence, leaving behind scattered remnants of keora fragments as silent witnesses to their woodland banquet.
Local fishers operating along the waterways noted that the keora fruiting season peaks between the Bangla months of Srabon, Bhadro, and Ashwin, though some lingering fruits continue to sustain the wildlife into Kartik. Fisher Asadul Sardar explained that while monkeys thrive on the seasonal fruit, gaining substantial weight, fishers also utilize the keora to cook lentil curries or boil them as bait for angling. Fellow fisher Ikramul Gazi added that once the keora supply depletes, the macaques resort to consuming tender leaves, grasses, and even river crabs, which causes them to lose their seasonal fat and appear leaner.
The rich biodiversity of the Sundarbans also fosters a unique symbiotic relationship between monkeys and deer, according to local residents. Macaques frequently dislodge fruits and foliage from high branches, providing sustenance for deer foraging below. Furthermore, the monkeys serve as an early warning system against apex predators, emitting sharp distress calls from the tree canopy upon detecting tigers, thereby alerting nearby herds of deer. A similar display of heightened agility and playfulness was witnessed on Sunday afternoon (November) at the Kalagachhia Ecotourism Center along the banks of the Kholpetua River, captivating visiting tourists.
Tourism operators and forest officials noted a notable shift in the macaques' foraging behavior this season. Anisur Rahman, a tourist boat owner, observed that while monkeys historically grew aggressive or attempted to snatch bags from visitors in search of handouts, the abundance of natural keora fruit has significantly diminished their reliance on human food. Kalagachhia Ecotourism Center forestry worker Md Mohiuddin emphasized that keora plays a vital role in maintaining the forest food web and ecological balance, serving as a primary dietary staple not only for monkeys but also for deer and various bird species.
Rhesus macaques are widely distributed across the approximately six-square-kilometer Bangladesh portion of the Sundarbans, frequently spotted at prominent ecotourism spots including Kalabagi, Karamjol, Jamtola, Kotka, Kachikhali, and Harbaria. While deer typically flee from human contact, the macaques often approach vessels in search of food, occasionally turning aggressive if provoked. Data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) survey released in December 2023 indicates that the Sundarbans monkey population has surged significantly to 152,444, a sharp rise from 51,000 recorded in 2004. AZM Hasanur Rahman, Divisional Forest Officer of the Sundarbans West Forest Division, confirmed that the animals exhibit peak vitality and vigor during the keora fruiting cycle, making this period a defining spectacle for wildlife enthusiasts visiting the world's largest mangrove forest.
