# Crested black macaque > The crested black macaque is a distinctive North Sulawesi primate. Tangkoko field studies connect fruit availability, ranging and the future of its forest habitat. Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/crested-black-macaque/ · Updated 7 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/yaki/ _This Markdown mirror is generated at build time from the same data as the HTML page. Cite the HTML page URL and its update date._ **Review status:** Approved by team on 2026-10-07. Approval covers this version’s narrative, facts, quick answers and recorded locations in both languages. ## Quick answer The crested black macaque (*Macaca nigra*) is a mammal in the family Cercopithecidae. Range in Indonesia: North Sulawesi. It is endemic to Indonesia, living naturally only in North-eastern tip of Sulawesi (North Sulawesi) plus Manado Tua and Talise islands; introduced population on Bacan (Maluku). Diet: fruit and other forest foods; a omnivore. IUCN Red List status: Critically Endangered. It is a legally protected species in Indonesia (Regulation P.106/2018). | Fact | Value | |---|---| | Scientific name | *Macaca nigra* | | Indonesian name | Yaki | | Group | Mammals | | Family | Cercopithecidae | | Range in Indonesia | North Sulawesi | | Linked habitats | [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/) | | Native range | Northern Sulawesi | | Main food | Fruit and other forest foods | | Research site | Tangkoko, North Sulawesi | | IUCN status | Critically Endangered · [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2436616) · checked 1 October 2026 | | Legal protection in Indonesia | Protected · [Regulation P.106/2018](https://jdih.kehutanan.go.id/new2/uploads/files/P_106_2018_JENIS_TSL_menlhk_07252019152513.pdf) · annex no. 14 | | Tangkoko population | About 1,951 individuals in Tangkoko Nature Reserve (2009–2010 survey) · [Oryx — Status of the crested black macaque in Tangkoko (2012)](https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/oryx/article/status-of-and-conservation-recommendations-for-the-critically-endangered-crested-black-macaque-macaca-nigra-in-tangkoko-indonesia/4BBCCC7A941ADC2C432F6EC08ACD3CCC) | | Diet type | Omnivore (eats plants and animals) — mainly fruit (figs), plus insects and small animals · [IUCN Red List](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12556/17950422) | | Reproduction | Giving birth to live young (viviparous) · [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mammalia/) | | Observance days | [Indonesian Primate Day (30 January)](https://panduanhewan.org/en/animal-days-calendar/#hari-primata-indonesia) | | Active | Diurnal (active by day) · [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), MamFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/MamFuncDat.txt) | | Endemic to Indonesia | Yes — North-eastern tip of Sulawesi (North Sulawesi) plus Manado Tua and Talise islands; introduced population on Bacan (Maluku) · [IUCN Red List](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12556/17950422) | ## What is a crested black macaque? Macaca nigra is a macaque native to northern Sulawesi. Its upright crest and dark body are distinctive, though a wild animal should be identified using its location and full set of features. “Crested black macaque” distinguishes it from Sulawesi’s other macaques; the scientific name is the clearest reference. Evidence: [Animal Diversity Web — Macaca nigra: identification](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Macaca_nigra/) ## Where does it live? Tangkoko in North Sulawesi has supported long-term research on wild crested macaques. Its lowland forest experiences seasonal changes in fruit availability. Findings from one reserve do not describe the species’ entire range, but they give direct evidence of how wild groups use forest space. Evidence: [Joly et al. (2023) — climate, fruit and macaque home ranges in Tangkoko](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10764-023-00377-4) ## Why do fruit and forest matter? The 2012–2020 Tangkoko study followed food trees and four macaque groups. Overall fruit availability declined, but monthly temperature was the strongest predictor of home-range size in the researchers’ model. Food, climate and ranging therefore cannot be reduced to one cause. These local findings guide monitoring rather than predict every Sulawesi group. Evidence: [Joly et al. (2023) — climate, fruit and macaque home ranges in Tangkoko](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10764-023-00377-4) ## How do groups live? Duboscq and colleagues studied female relationships in two wild Tangkoko groups, including aggression, grooming and reconciliation. The observed interactions supported a relatively tolerant social style. This was not an offspring-survival study or a Sulawesi census; its findings should be read within the animals and location actually studied. Evidence: [Duboscq et al. (2013) — female social tolerance, two Tangkoko groups](https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/2539/1/Social%20tolerance%20in%20wild%20female%20crested%20macaques%20%28Macaca%20nigra%29%20in%20Tangkoko-Batuangus%20Nature%20Reserve%2C%20Sulawesi%2C%20Indonesia.pdf) ## What threatens the species? Conservation assessments and Tangkoko research document pressure on the species and the need to protect habitat. Hunting and forest loss require local context; an old count should not be presented as today’s population. Prefer organisations that show recent monitoring methods, and avoid feeding or crowding wild groups for photographs. Evidence: [Palacios et al. (2012) — Tangkoko conservation survey](https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/oryx/article/status-of-and-conservation-recommendations-for-the-critically-endangered-crested-black-macaque-macaca-nigra-in-tangkoko-indonesia/4BBCCC7A941ADC2C432F6EC08ACD3CCC) ## Scientific classification of the Crested black macaque | Rank | Name | |---|---| | Kingdom | Animalia | | Phylum | Chordata | | Class | Mammalia | | Order | Primates | | Family | Cercopithecidae | | Genus | *Macaca* | | Species | *Macaca nigra* | Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c) ## Common questions about the crested black macaque ### What is the scientific name of the crested black macaque? The scientific name of the crested black macaque is *Macaca nigra*, in the family Cercopithecidae. In Indonesian it is called Yaki. ### What kind of animal is the crested black macaque? The crested black macaque is a mammal in the family Cercopithecidae. By diet it is a omnivore (eats plants and animals): a mainly fruit (figs), plus insects and small animals. It is also endemic to Indonesia. ### Where does the crested black macaque live in Indonesia? In Indonesia, this guide records the crested black macaque in: North Sulawesi. The crested black macaque is endemic to Indonesia and lives naturally only in North-eastern tip of Sulawesi (North Sulawesi) plus Manado Tua and Talise islands; introduced population on Bacan (Maluku). Source: [IUCN Red List](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12556/17950422). Source-supported habitats: [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/). ### What does the crested black macaque eat? Diet of the crested black macaque (main food): fruit and other forest foods. That makes it a omnivore (eats plants and animals). Source: [IUCN Red List](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12556/17950422). ### How does the crested black macaque reproduce? The crested black macaque reproduces by giving birth to live young (viviparous). Source: [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mammalia/). ### Is the crested black macaque nocturnal? The cited source records the crested black macaque as diurnal (active by day). Source: [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), MamFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/MamFuncDat.txt). See also [the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/nocturnal-and-diurnal-animals/). ### How large is the population of the crested black macaque? About 1,951 individuals in Tangkoko Nature Reserve (2009–2010 survey). Source: [Oryx — Status of the crested black macaque in Tangkoko (2012)](https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/oryx/article/status-of-and-conservation-recommendations-for-the-critically-endangered-crested-black-macaque-macaca-nigra-in-tangkoko-indonesia/4BBCCC7A941ADC2C432F6EC08ACD3CCC). Wild population figures are estimates and can differ between surveys. ### What is the scientific classification of the crested black macaque? Scientific classification of the crested black macaque: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Primates, family Cercopithecidae, genus *Macaca*, species *Macaca nigra*. Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c), adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology. ### Is the crested black macaque endangered? Yes. On the IUCN Red List, the crested black macaque is listed as Critically Endangered: it is considered to face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Source: [IUCN Red List (via GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/species/2436616), checked 1 October 2026. This global category is separate from national legal protection. [Is the crested black macaque protected in Indonesia?](#protected) ### Is the crested black macaque protected in Indonesia? Yes. The crested black macaque (*Macaca nigra*) is a protected species in Indonesia under [Environment and Forestry Ministerial Regulation No. P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 on protected plant and animal species](https://jdih.kehutanan.go.id/new2/uploads/files/P_106_2018_JENIS_TSL_menlhk_07252019152513.pdf) (annex, entry 14). Article 21(2) of Law No. 5 of 1990, as amended by Law No. 32 of 2024, prohibits anyone from hunting, catching, injuring, killing, storing, owning, keeping, transporting or trading a protected animal, alive or dead, including its body parts, eggs and nests. If you see this animal being traded, kept or injured, contact the [local BKSDA office](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/). ### Can the crested black macaque be kept as a pet? No. Because the crested black macaque is a protected species, catching, owning, keeping, transporting or trading it without a permit is prohibited by law. Trading without a permit through electronic media is also prohibited. If you see this animal for sale or being kept, report it to the [local BKSDA office](https://panduanhewan.org/en/bksda-offices/). ## Sources & references 1. [Animal Diversity Web — Macaca nigra: identification](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Macaca_nigra/) 2. [Joly et al. (2023) — climate, fruit and macaque home ranges in Tangkoko](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10764-023-00377-4) 3. [Duboscq et al. (2013) — female social tolerance, two Tangkoko groups](https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/2539/1/Social%20tolerance%20in%20wild%20female%20crested%20macaques%20%28Macaca%20nigra%29%20in%20Tangkoko-Batuangus%20Nature%20Reserve%2C%20Sulawesi%2C%20Indonesia.pdf) 4. [Palacios et al. (2012) — Tangkoko conservation survey](https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/oryx/article/status-of-and-conservation-recommendations-for-the-critically-endangered-crested-black-macaque-macaca-nigra-in-tangkoko-indonesia/4BBCCC7A941ADC2C432F6EC08ACD3CCC) 5. [Peraturan Menteri LHK Nomor P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi](https://jdih.kehutanan.go.id/new2/uploads/files/P_106_2018_JENIS_TSL_menlhk_07252019152513.pdf) 6. [IUCN Red List](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12556/17950422) 7. [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mammalia/) 8. [EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), MamFuncDat.txt](https://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E095/178/MamFuncDat.txt) 9. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c) ## Further reading [Crested black macaque: facts, threats and conservation](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/black-macaque/) — World Animal Rescue Network. _Related site: PanduanHewan’s founder is also a director of World Animal Rescue Network._ ## Keep exploring - [Tropical Rainforests](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/tropical-rainforest/) - [Sulawesi babirusa](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/sulawesi-babirusa/) - [Sulawesi bear cuscus](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/sulawesi-bear-cuscus/) - [Pygmy tarsier](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/pygmy-tarsier/) - [Long-tailed macaque](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/macaca-fascicularis/) --- Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Crested black macaque. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/crested-black-macaque/