YAKEI – THE FEARLESS MONKEY QUEEN

In the year 2021 a Japanese macaque monkey by the name of Yakei overthrew the alpha male in her troops and became the first female alpha in over 70 years on the reserve. Yakei is 9 years old and leads a colony of 677 monkeys at Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden (Japan), which was established as a monkey sanctuary in 1952.

The macaque way is governed by a rigid hierarchy. Normally only male monkeys can be leaders and get the highest rank, meaning having more access to food, mates, and resting places. Yakei defied primatologists‘ expectations when she beat up her own mother to take first pla- ce among her troop‘s females. While most girls would be satisfied with it, Yakei continued to struggle. She then assaulted three high-ranking males, then proceeded to overtake Nanchu, a 31- year-old macaque who led the troop for five years.

Reserve workers confirmed Yakei‘s alpha status when males and females of her troop step- ped aside and she ate peanuts provided by workers first. Although most alphas maintain their dominance for months to over a decade, the mating season may prove challenging for Yakei as the monkeys form paid bonds.

If Yakei‘s rule persists, experts will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to research how Japanese macaques fare in a female-led community.