Cercopithecus ascanius schmidti

Cercopithecus ascanius schmidti | Schmidt's Red-tailed Monkey

Good spot: Bigodi Community Forest, Kamwenge District, Uganda

Primatology

Taxonomy & Occurrence

Five subspecies are currently recognized; and the Schmidt's Red-tailed Monkey has the widest distribution, occurring across eight countries (Burundi; Central African Republic; Democratic Republic of Congo; Kenya; Rwanda; South Sudan; Tanzania; Uganda).

IUCN Conservation Status

Least Concern

Bigodi Community Forest, Uganda

Seeing this Species

Jigokudani is the only spot in the world with an outdoor hot spring bath for the macaques. Particularly during winter between November and March, tourists swarm to this place to catch the humorous antics of macaques soaking in the onsens (hot springs) while partially covered in snow.

Jigokudani Monkey Park, Nagano Prefecture, Japan

Jigokudani means “Hell Valley”. It gets its name from the steep cliffs and steam coming off the springs. The Park can be reached from most major cities with the railway. From the Japan Rail Tokyo station, take the Nagano Shinkansen to Nagano station. Once there, switch to the Nagano Electric Railway where you take the Yudanaka line to Yudanaka station. A Nagano Electric bus for Kanbayashi will bring you to Kanbayashi Onsen bus stop. From here, it is a 30-min walk through a beautiful cedar forest into Jigokudani. More information on getting there from other major cities can be found at their Park website. Adult entrance fee is 500 yen (~$5).

Getting to Jigokudani

Probability of success: ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

Overlapping species: None

Other sites:

Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Japan

Due to its proximity to Tokyo and the ease of transportation, it is the most visited national park in Japan.

Overlapping species: None

Local contacts:

Sharing Jigokudani with the human primate

Toasting in the hot springs of Jigokudani during winter

References

[1] Abe H., Ishii N., Ito T., Kaneko Y., Maeda K., Miura S. & Yoneda M., 2005. A Guide to the Mammals of Japan. Tokai University Press, Kanagawa, Japan.

[2] Watanabe K. & Tokita K., 2008. Macaca fuscata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.2. Downloaded on 21 August 2014.

Page Last Updated: 28 September 2018