Red colobus monkey (Photo: Tim Holland)

In the Hindu religion, primates are sacred. So in predominantly Hindu areas, namely India and Nepal, killing or otherwise harming a primate is blasphemous, not to mention punishable by law. In other countries, such as China and Japan, primates are whimsical creatures, possessing mystical properties that imbue them with shrewd intelligence and cunning. In most places, however, they’re just crop pests.

This thought provoking piece by Ria Ghai via the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, talks about supporting alternative farming techniques and sustainable livelihoods for farmers to reduce conflict between humans and wildlife.