As we approach International Women's Day, Taiwan's Yushan National Park Management Office highlights the power of females in the animal kingdom. In Taiwan, Formosan rock macaques live in a matriarchal society where female monkeys stay in their natal group for life, while males are driven out before reaching maturity. The stability of a male's position as the "monkey king" often depends on the approval of the high-ranking female monkeys.
These female macaques form a strict hierarchical system, with family lineage playing a significant role. Males, on the other hand, must navigate their way up the social ladder by forming alliances or challenging existing leaders. Interestingly, newly introduced alpha males often groom high-ranking females to gain acceptance within the group.
Another example of female dominance in Taiwan is the Mountain hawk-eagle, locally known as the "bear eagle". Female eagles are larger than males, weighing up to 1.5 times more. This phenomenon is known as reverse sexual dimorphism. Recent studies in Yushan National Park have shown that female eagles can weigh up to 3.4 kg, significantly heavier than the males, which weigh about 2.3 kg.
Yushan National Park is also home to a high concentration of black bears, where mother bears are often seen roaming with their cubs. To celebrate women's contributions to society and their role in conservation, the park is hosting educational activities and offering small gifts to visitors.
