SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
The red ruffed lemur of Madagascar is among the 25 most endangered primates, according to the United Nation's Convention on Biological Diversity. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons.)
Primates of the World Heading Towards Extinction, says UN
Deforestation, Hunting Put Primates At Risk
Oct 15, 2012
Several species of apes, monkeys, lemurs and other primates are "in very dire straights" and on the brink of extinction, the United Nation's Convention on Biological Diversity said Monday.
"Primates in Peril: The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates, 2012-2014," reports that the animals are in need of urgent conservation measures to save them from extinction resulting from human activity such as destruction of tropical forests, illegal wildlife trade and commercial bush meat hunting.
Among the 25 are six species from Madagascar, five from Vietnam, three from Indonesia and two from Brazil.
Primates are a draw for ecotourism and help disperse seeds to maintain forest diversity.
Meeting in Hyderabad, India, the UN group highlighted the Pygmy Tarsier, ony found in museums until 2008 when three were captured and one was observed in the wild.
They also pointed to Madagascar's lemur population, 91 percent of which is near extinction.
"Once again, this report shows that the world's primates are under increasing threat from human activities. Whilst we haven't lost any primate species yet during this century, some of them are in very dire straits," Dr. Christoph Schwitzer, Head of Research at the Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation, said. "In particular the lemurs are now one of the world's most endangered groups of mammals, after more than three years of political crisis and a lack of effective enforcement in their home country, Madagascar. A similar crisis is happening in South-East Asia, where trade in wildlife is bringing many primates very close to extinction."
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Several species of apes, monkeys, lemurs and other primates are "in very dire straights" and on the brink of extinction, the United Nation's Convention on Biological Diversity said Monday.
"Primates in Peril: The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates, 2012-2014," reports that the animals are in need of urgent conservation measures to save them from extinction resulting from human activity such as destruction of tropical forests, illegal wildlife trade and commercial bush meat hunting.
Among the 25 are six species from Madagascar, five from Vietnam, three from Indonesia and two from Brazil.
Primates are a draw for ecotourism and help disperse seeds to maintain forest diversity.
Meeting in Hyderabad, India, the UN group highlighted the Pygmy Tarsier, ony found in museums until 2008 when three were captured and one was observed in the wild.
They also pointed to Madagascar's lemur population, 91 percent of which is near extinction.
"Once again, this report shows that the world's primates are under increasing threat from human activities. Whilst we haven't lost any primate species yet during this century, some of them are in very dire straits," Dr. Christoph Schwitzer, Head of Research at the Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation, said. "In particular the lemurs are now one of the world's most endangered groups of mammals, after more than three years of political crisis and a lack of effective enforcement in their home country, Madagascar. A similar crisis is happening in South-East Asia, where trade in wildlife is bringing many primates very close to extinction."
Several species of apes, monkeys, lemurs and other primates are "in very dire straights" and on the brink of extinction, the United Nation's Convention on Biological Diversity said Monday.
"Primates in Peril: The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates, 2012-2014," reports that the animals are in need of urgent conservation measures to save them from extinction resulting from human activity such as destruction of tropical forests, illegal wildlife trade and commercial bush meat hunting.
Among the 25 are six species from Madagascar, five from Vietnam, three from Indonesia and two from Brazil.
Primates are a draw for ecotourism and help disperse seeds to maintain forest diversity.
Meeting in Hyderabad, India, the UN group highlighted the Pygmy Tarsier, ony found in museums until 2008 when three were captured and one was observed in the wild.
They also pointed to Madagascar's lemur population, 91 percent of which is near extinction.
"Once again, this report shows that the world's primates are under increasing threat from human activities. Whilst we haven't lost any primate species yet during this century, some of them are in very dire straits," Dr. Christoph Schwitzer, Head of Research at the Bristol Conservation and Science Foundation, said. "In particular the lemurs are now one of the world's most endangered groups of mammals, after more than three years of political crisis and a lack of effective enforcement in their home country, Madagascar. A similar crisis is happening in South-East Asia, where trade in wildlife is bringing many primates very close to extinction."
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.