[2] It was discovered as a new taxon in 1997 by the Indian primatologist Anwaruddin Choudhury, but he thought it to be a new subspecies of the Tibetan macaque (M.

In 2011, some researchers suggested, on the basis of morphological variation within the Assamese macaque, that it might be better treated as a subspecies.

[6] Subsequently, it was also discovered in Bhutan, where it was observed and photographed in the Trashi Yangshi area in 2006.

It lives at high altitudes, between 2000 m and 3500 m above sea level, making it one of the highest-dwelling primates.

[1] The monkey is severely persecuted in some parts of its known distribution by locals retaliating against crop raiding.