Primates in Peril : Report
A recent report titled Primates in Peril highlights the increasing risks faced by 25 primate species from across the globe.
- Out of 25 primates, 6 species belong to Africa, 4 species from Madagascar, 9 species from Asia, and 6 species from South America (Neotropics)
- Most Endangered Primates: The Cross River Gorilla and Tapanuli Orangutan are highlighted as critically endangered in the report.
- Cross River gorillas are scattered in at least 11 groups in Cameroon and Nigeria, while the Tapanuli orangutan, the most endangered great ape, has fewer than 800 individuals.
- Both are listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
- Primate Species from India: Phayre’s Langur and the Western Hoolock Gibbon, found in Northeast India and Bangladesh, were evaluated based on risks faced by them, but ultimately excluded from the final list.
- Phayre’s Langur: This primate, known for its distinct ‘spectacled’ appearance, is primarily found in eastern Bangladesh and northeastern India, including Assam, Mizoram, and Tripura.
- Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock): It is a tailless ape found in the tropical forests of India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, with black males having a white stripe above their eyes while females are light colored (beige, brown, grey).
