Rhesus Macaque Monkeys in Tibet

On an August 2000 visit to Linzhi Prefecture in SE Tibet, we were surprised to see brownish monkeys at about 3350m/11000’ scrambling over rocky outcrops on the eastern side of the Nyang Chu Valley (also known as the Gyamda Valley) at a point some 40 km west northwest of Bayi. However, the troop, was too far away to allow a satisfactory identification of the species involved. Tibet is not often associated with monkeys. However, five species (possibly six) occur within the Tibet AutonomousRegion (TAR). These are the Black-and-White Snub-nosed Monkey, the Gray Langur, and three (possibly four) macaques.