The rare lion tailed macaque (Macaca silenus) is an endangered species endemic to Western Ghats of South India in the tropical evergreen and semi evergreen forests. It is is a taxonomically distinctive species. Special reasons for conserving this unusual monkey relate to its singular role as the only exclusively arboreal forest –dwelling macaque. The fragmentation of habitat is one of the threats to Lion tailed macaque (LTM) in Western Ghats. Other threats are clear felling, selective-felling, habitation and access roads, hunting (for eating and mistaken identity by hunters as Niligiri langurs), legal and unauthorised collection of minor forest produce like Artocarpus, Ficus fruits which are its most important foods. The Lion tailed Macaque is on the verge of extinction due to extensive and widespread destruction of its habitat, even though it is secondary to its hunting. A study has been carried out in the Sharavathi river basin for a period of four months to explore the status of LTM’s threats and conservation. Loss of habitat due to increasing anthropogenic activities is the primary threat to these animals. Fragmentation of habitats due to encroachments and unplanned developmental activities are converting the contiguous habitat into remnants which are unsuitable for LTM’s as they are exposed to predation, hunting and also to inbreeding. During the field survey, a troop of LTM was spotted at the north bank of the Sharavathi River below Jog Falls. The region is fragmented by Honavar-Belgaum road along which forest encroachment for agriculture and horticulture is extensive. A severe decline in numbers of monkeys is reported since selective-felling operation began in early 60’s. High forests lie between 200 to 500 m elevation and are transitional between semi-evergreens and evergreens. Since, this is now probably the north most limit of M.silenus, and also the habitat differs markedly from Cullenia-dominant and Dipterocarpus-dominant forests in south Western Ghats. Careful protection and management has to be adopted through restoration of forests to conserve the endangered endemic species.