Posted by Jamie in Endangered Animals | 0 Comments
Almost half of monkeys, apes under threat
A report made last August 2008 revealed that due to deforestation and excessive hunting for meat, monkeys and apes all over the world are facing extinction.
Research and studies that were spearheaded by Russell Mittermeier, head of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and president of Conservation International, showed that out of 634 common species and sub-species of primates, 48% are facing possible extinction. These are mostly man’s closest relatives – orangutans, chimpanzees, lemurs, and gibbons.
IUCN is a group made up of government leaders, scientists, and conservation groups. A report completed five years ago revealed that only 39% of primates were at risk. The number has increased significantly over the years.
Reasons of extinction include habitat destruction caused by burning and clearing of tropical woodlands for farmland, and of course, hunting of apes and monkeys for meat.
In Asia, 71% of all species are at risk compared to Africa’s 37%. A conference that will be held at Edinburgh, Scotland will release a related report.
The species mostly at risk are Bouvier’s Red Colobus, an African monkey that has not been encountered for the past 25 years; and the greater bamboo lemur of Madagascar that total to only about 140 in the wild.
Chimpanzees, the closest link to mankind, remained “endangered” in the middle of a three-state scale or risk between dangerously endangered and “vulnerable.” In addition, mountain gorillas mostly found in jungles of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo, stayed endangered despite a rise in numbers.
Mittermeier stated that these facts are taken from solid data. The data also clearly show how severe the situation has become.
He also added that he is optimistic that in five years’ time; more than $100 million a year will be available for use in the conservation of primates. Mittermeier also believes that actions taken by tourism, like arranging trips to spot baboons, gibbons, and lemurs, can be a great help.
More information on endangered apes and monkeys
- Current Results lists the four most endangered apes
- Bio Medicine released a report stating apes are being threatend by human viruses
- Newly discovered species of monkey already on the endangered list
