It has been difficult to break the patriarchy in the human world. A female Japanese macaque in a reserve in southern Japan became the first female leader in the reserve's 70 year history by violently overthrowing the alpha male of her troop.
The Takasakiyama Zoological Natural Garden was established as a reserve for monkeys in 1952. Two troops are on the island reserve, and they spend most of their time on the forested mountain at its center. The staff at the park at the base of the mountain provide food. The staff of the reserve has kept an eye on the political and romantic struggles of the simian residents.
Scientists and reserve workers were surprised by Yakei's ascent to alpha status. Some experts wonder if Yakei is vulnerable to being taken over by someone in the middle of a love triangle.
The Japanese macaque, also known as the snow monkey, is a highly intelligent species native to Japan. It is known for its red bottom and hot springs.
In Japanese macaque society, a hostile takeover by a female is very rare, and only a few cases have been reported in the history of primatology.
The Japanese macaque society has a strict hierarchy. The higher an individual monkey's rank, the greater its access to food, mates and resting locations. Females rarely leave the troop they were born into because they inherit the rank just below their mothers. When males reach puberty, they leave their troop and join a new one, where their rank is usually determined by the amount of time they have spent in the troop. Male on male acts of violence are often used to gain rank.
What primatologists expected from Japanese macaques was surprising. She beat her mother to the top spot in her troop. Most females would be content there, but Yakei continued to fight.
According to reserve workers, Yakei attacked three high-ranking males, then came after the leader of the troop. The young and determined Yakei was no match for the old and elderly Nanchu, who was 31 at the time.
Mr. Kaigaishi, who studies the behavior of Japanese macaques, said that she physically attacked and defeated her opponent.
It is a image.
The Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden was open in the year of 2018). It was established in 1952 and is currently home to 677 macaques.
The monkeys were given peanuts and given a chance to see who eats first. The males and females stepped aside so that Yakei could eat first.
Yakei has shown some behaviors that are usually only seen in males, such as shaking tree branches with her body and walking with her tail up. Mr. Kaigaishi said that she was acting like an adult male and was more aggressive than other people.
Although she seems to be leaning into her role, she is likely to face challenges. The reign of an alpha can last for a long time. Observers of the troop say that the mating season could change things.
Mating time at the reserve usually runs from November to March. Polygamous macaques form pair bonds during the breeding season. They travel with their partners for an average of 16 days. The females seek new partners after the bond is dissolved. The average number of males that a female will mate with is four.
The Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago has a Japanese macaque that is studied by the zoo's psychologist. The environment becomes more tense.
During previous breeding seasons, Goro was ranked sixth within the troop. The reserve says that Goro bit Yakei in the face in 2011, a move that caused her bottom to flush bright red, a sign that she was ready and willing to take him as a mate. Goro seems to have lost interest in her since she has claimed the top spot.
Since then, another male, an 18-year-old named Luffy, ranked fifth in the troop, has tried to woo Yakei, but to no avail. The guide at Takasakiyama said thatLuffy likes Yakei, but it appears one-sided.
Over the course of this breeding season, Yakei could form bonds with both Goro and Luffy. Her dislike for Luffy has recently evolved into something more akin to fear.
Mr. Kaigaishi said in an email that he visited Takasakiyama last week and observed that Yakei had a fear grimace. I watched as Luffy pushed Yakei away to monopolize food.
Mr. Kaigaishi said more data was needed to reach any conclusions.
It is not clear if the fall from power is the cause of Yakei's behavior. Mr. Kimoto said that he still believed that Yakei would not fall from the top only because of sex.
Scientists like Mr. Kaigaishi will have the chance to study how Japanese macaques fare in a society led by a female.
He said that Japanese macaque society is so dramatic and unpredictable that many people love to observe them.
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