Half the planet's primates in peril due to the destruction of their habitat and trade in bushmeat

By Fiona Macrae

Peril: The golden-headed lion tamarin and the black crested gibbon are both facing extinction thanks to hunters


Half the world's species of monkey, gorilla and chimpanzee could soon disappear, experts have warned.

The destruction of their habitats and a thriving trade in bushmeat have pushed many to the brink of extinction, according to a report spearheaded by Bristol Zoo.

In parts of the Far East the proportion of primates at risk is as high as 90 per cent.

Demands to supply the pet and traditional Chinese medicine trades have also contributed to rapidly declining populations.


Endangered: The orangutan and black lion tamarin are also dwindling in numbers in the far east as their habitat disappears


There are thought to be fewer than 100 northern sportive lemurs left in Madagascar as their habitat is destroyed. They are confined to one forest in the north of Madagascar

In Vietnam and Cambodia up to 90 per cent of gibbons, monkeys and langurs could soon die out. The golden-headed langur, which is found only on the island of Cat Ba, north-eastern Vietnam, is hunted for use in Chinese medicine and only 60 to 70 of the animals remain.

There are only around 110 eastern black crested gibbons in northeastern Vietnam.


Habitat loss from logging and expansion of palm oil plantations has caused the Sumatran orangutan's slide towards extinction.


Dr Christoph Schwitzer, one of the report's authors and head of research at the Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation, said: 'This report makes for very alarming reading and it underlines the extent of the danger facing many of the world's primates.

'Support and action to help save these species is vital if we are to avoid losing these wonderful animals forever.'

Hunting has played a part in the animals' downfall. The trade in bushmeat is flourishing, with up to five million tons a year gleaned from the Congo Basin alone.

Much of this will come from primates prized for their high meat yield and the flavour of their flesh.

Dr Russell Mittermeier, chairman of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, said they needed 'to stimulate national governments to do more and especially to find the resources to implement desperately-needed conservation measures'. He added: 'We have the resources to address this crisis, but so far, we have failed to act.'

On an optimistic note, more than 50 new species of primate have been discovered since 2000 and conservation projects have led to a resurgence in numbers of others, including the black lion tamarin and the gold lion tamarin.



source: dailymail