Endangered Primate Species

Currently 25 species of monkeys, langurs, lemurs and gorillas are a severely threatened and are in danger of extinction. The cause is from an increasing amount of human activity related to deforestation and illegal trafficking and hunting. Of the 25 species of primates that are severely threatened 6 of the species are from the island of Madagascar, 5 from the mainland of Africa, 5 from South America, and 9 are in Asia. Lemurs are the most severely threatened with only 19 known individuals left in Madagascar. This is due to a dramatic change of power in the country since 2009 that has had a lack of enforcement. In all there are a total of 633 types of primates in danger of becoming extinct with the ones listed above being the most threatened. However, with the help of conservation efforts several species of primates are no longer listed as endangered. With that, conservation efforts have prevented a single primate species extinction in the 20^th century or so far this century. Primates, who are mankind’s closest living relatives, are important because they contribute to the ecosystem by dispersing seeds and maintaining forest diversity. Primates have also become a popular ecotourism attraction and primate-watching is becoming a growing interest.

 

This is an image of a Madagascar lemur who is one the most threatened species at this time

Article Source: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/10/15/25-primate-species-in-africa-asia-reported-on-brink-extinction-from/
Image Source: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/10/15/25-primate-species-in-africa-asia-reported-on-brink-extinction-from/