New monkey boss on southwestern Japan island - NHKニュース

Japanese researchers say a group of wild monkeys on an island in southwestern Japan has a new leader for the first time in three years.

The Japanese macaques on Kojima Island in Kushima City, Miyazaki Prefecture, are famous worldwide for washing sweet potatoes before eating them. The government designates the island as the Kojima Monkey Habitat, a national Natural Monument. About 100 monkeys currently live there.

A team at Kyoto University's Wildlife Research Center has been studying the group for many years. The researchers say a monkey known as "GURE" has not been seen since late August. He became the leader three years ago and was thought to be about 80 years old in human terms. The team believes he most likely died of old age.

The researchers say "KOBU," who was ranked second in the group, is the new alpha male. The 19-year-old is the 12th leader of the group on Kojima Island.

Team member Suzumura Takafumi says the new boss is gentle and popular with the young monkeys. He says the monkey has already begun behaving confidently, and he hopes people will come to the island to see him.