Melissa Burggraaf

ANTH 2281
Prof. Schaefer
3 September 2016
Big Topic Writing Assignment 1:
Primates in Peril

Animals all around the world are endangered and many of them fall victim to extinction.
Primates are no exception. Because of their endangerment and risk of permanent extinction, a
detailed list of primates is put together, taking the span of two years. Each year is different and
each for their own purposes. The 2014-2016 list of The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates
differs from the previous list (2012-2014) on account that eight species (Bioko red colobus,
Madame Berth's mouse lemur, Sclater's black lemur, silky sifaka, Indri, pygmy tarsier, grayshanked douc langur, and Cao Vit) were removed. These changes were not made because the
status of those eight primates were improved. For a few of those species, their dire situation has
grown. The purposes of these changes is to give the spotlight to other closely related species in
hopes for help for their somewhat terminal future.
With those eight species being dropped, eight new species were added including Preuss's
red colobus, Lavasoa Mountains dwarf lemur, Lac Alaotra bamboo lemur, Perrier's sifaka,
Philippine tarsier, Chamba sacred langur, Hainan gibbon, and Sumatran orangutan. Four of those
eight (Preuss's red colobus, Lavasoa Mountains dwarf lemur, Philippine tarsier, and Chamba
sacred langur) are considered the most endangered primates for the first time, not having been on
the list before. The other four (the Lac Alaotra bamboo lemur, Perrier's sifaka, the Hainan
gibbon, and the Sumatran orangutan) had made an appearance on previous list, but were dropped

to help other highly threatened primates. This new list also contains primates (from the genera
Piliocolobus, Trachypithecus, Semnopithecus, and Ateles) that bring to light the dangers largebodied primates are facing in their habitat regions. Many primates not on the list are endangered,
but not all can be on this iteration at the same time. In order to help the endangered primates as a
whole, all must share the spotlight in certain times in hopes to save them one action at a time.
Weighing only 60 grams, the rondo dwarf galago is the smallest of its species. Not only is
it unique for its small size, but also for their rolling call, bush-shaped tail that reddens with
maturity, and its reproductive anatomy. They are nocturnal and build comfortable nests in the
canopy for the day. They cling and leap close to the ground to eat, their diet consisting mostly of
fruits and insects. This species resides mainly in Tanzania in moist evergreen forest patches.

Even as a small primate, the dwarf galago's habitat is vital to its lifestyle. With data and
research, it has become apparent that their situation has worsened over time and is in dire need of
conservation attention. It is clear from observation that the forests these dwarf galagos live in
have decreased over the years in a rate that is dangerous. According to Primates in Peril: The
World's 25 Most Endangered Primates 2014-2016, "all sites [of the rondo dwarf galago] are
subject to some level of agricultural encroachment, charcoal manufacture and/or logging."

[Schwitzer, Mittermeir, Rylands, Chiozza, Williamson, Wallis, & Cotton, 2015, p. 12] The
highest risk of deforestation for their habitat deals with the raise of charcoal production. At the
rate production is going, the forests inhabited by these small primates will be gone in the next
10-15 years.
Because of their high extinction risk, action must be taken place quickly. This includes
everything that is associated with conservation. First would be to monitor the rondo dwarf galago
population and take note if their species is increasing in numbers or not as well as figuring out if
they populate other areas not yet researched. Since these primates are so small, the need to learn
more about them and their population count is vital to their status. Most importantly is to raise
awareness of what is going on in the Tanzania forests, to locals and those in other countries.
When awareness is raised, help can be provided.
Being on the bigger side of the lemur family, the red ruffed lemur can reach the length of
55 centimeters. Moist lowland forests are the preference since they provide tall trees, so these
lemurs can often be found in the Masoala Peninsula north of Madagascar. They survive on a diet
of mostly fruits (73.9%), but with a mix of nectar, leaves (20.9%), and flowers (5.3%) on
occasion. Of all the plants available to the red ruffed lemurs, they tend to only eat 42 of the 106
species available to them in their range. To meet the higher demands of reproduction, females
will eat more fruits when available. These lemurs also appear to be more active during hot rainy
seasons and mate specifically in early July.

In three generations, the red ruffed lemur's population has decreased by over 80% in 24
years. Not only are they losing their habitat, but they are also being hunted and trapped for food.
Aside from the usual human danger, the red ruffed lemur are threatened by regular cyclones that
visit their part of Madagascar. As usual conservation methods take place, a national park
(Masoala National Park) has been protected, but illegal logging is still taking place.
To save this species, conservation methods must be taken to the next step. That would
include better and more surveillance in Masoala National Park to put a stop to anything that can
cause harm to this protected species. This can be highly effective if those surveying the park are
vigilant and aware, always ready to stop anything suspicious. If they're not, more surveillance
wouldn't make a difference. Also a need for a way to give natives food from domestic animals so
as not to resort to the lemurs for protein is another method to assist in keeping this species away
from the extinction line. With more food available, less people will hunt the lemurs. But even
then, eating lemur meat is part of their culture and help decide who are higher up in their society.
Awareness can also be amplified so that more people can open their eyes to the cruel fate ahead
of these primates' life. Luckily, zoos in America and Europe are providing safe homes for some
red ruffed lemurs, but we can't rely fully on zoos to keep species from extinction.

The title of largest mammals to live in trees respectively go to the Sumatran orangutans.
Their powerfully long arms can reach up to two meters, making them the perfect species to live
in trees. These orangutans natively populate Sumatra, Indonesia, making themselves home in the
remaining trees in the lowland forests. Many studies suggest that the central and southern
Sumatra population could be what all the other orangutans descended from, including the Borneo
orangutan. Their traits are uniquely human and have been known to create tools and take part in
their own kind of culture. They are also the slowest reproducing mammals, females giving birth
once every eight years. It's because of this fact that they are one of the most endangered primates
to this day.

Orangutans require large areas of continuous forest in order to live and thrive. This
requirement causes some hassles in keeping threats a minimum and result in making this species
tremendously vulnerable to extinction. If even 1% of the female population of the orangutan is
killed off, it can cause major repercussion to the population in its entirety and push them off the
edge to extinction. Their slow reproduction abilities causes their population many problems but
it's deforestation that is harming them the most. "The primary threat to Sumatran orangutans is
habitat destruction and fragmentation... forests are still being cleared at a large scale, primarily
for conversion to oil palm plantations but also for mining, settlement and agricultural

encroachment." [Schwitzer, Mittermeir, Rylands, Chiozza, Williamson, Wallis, & Cotton, 2015,
p. 71] Not only are they losing their homes, these orangutans are being hunted and trapped for
food, trade, and pest control despite their already small population number. Every kind of danger
seems to be thrown at these harmless creatures and action must be taken place in order to save
them.
Conservation methods have been done, but nothing can stop people and companies from
doing illegal things. Despite the action to protect some of the orangutans' habitat, many are going
behind the law and continuing on with deforestation for profit. How can a species be protected if
many ignore the laws set forth to protect them? For now, the solution decided on is to create a
more firm plan to protect the habitats. Laws and regulations that can't be loopholed or ignored.
Care and understanding of conservation regulation is needed quickly if we want to see orangutan
population stop decreasing. Many must join together to promote forest restoration and serious
matters must be implemented to make prosecutions for illegals action more effective.
Fortunately, the awareness of palm oil and its difficulties have canceled a palm oil plantation.
Unfortunately, extinction will forever be a close possibility for the orangutans if illegal plans
continue.
Generally observed in small groups that can go up to ten other of their kind, the Ka'apor
capuchin is known for being the capuchins without the clumps of fur located on the top of their
head. Not much is known about these specific capuchins, but plenty of research is being done in
order to better classify them. Active during the day and spending most of their time in the trees,
these primates are mostly found in Brazil from Maranho and Par, mainly in tall lowland terra
firma forest.

70% of the Brazilian Amazon has been demolished due to the establishing of pastures
and farmland. The Ka'apor capuchin can be found on two protected areas (Gurupi Biological
Reserve and the Lago do Tucurui Environmental Protection Area) but outside forces affect the
reserve depsite the fact that they are deemed 'protected'. Not only is deforestation of their habitat
taking place, but "selective logging was particularly prejudicial to [Ka'apor capuchin] due to the
loss of trees providing fruits that are a significant component of its diet." (Kierulff, M.C.M. & de
Oliveira, M.M. 2008) On top of their homes and diet being effected, these capuchins are being
hunted and many of the natives in that area capture them and keep them as pets.
The Ka'apor capuchins are one of the most threatened primates of the Amazon and are
thus critically endangered and must receive our help in order to live on. For now, the only
conservation action taking place for the Ka'apor capuchins is that they have been recorded to live
in two protected reserves. If we truly want to save this species from dying out, a lot more action
must be taken place including more information about the primate itself and a better
understanding of specific steps needed to save them. Knowledge of the animal is the first step in
saving it, so more research must be done.

The biggest issue on this planet is habitation. Everyone and everything needs a place to
live and that can cause some challenges and difficulties. Humans tend to believe that the Earth is
theirs and that they can do as they please in order to survive and thrive. The problem with this
way of thinking is that we dont consider the other species sharing this planet with us.
Deforestation is the biggest threat to nonhuman primates. Whether that be for a plantation, roads,
or gathering resources for ourselves, it all contributes to the endangerment of many primates.
Humans always want more things and better things and the majority don't care if that means a
species will become extinct. Then we also have to take into consideration the natives who live in
the same area as these primates. To them, it's normal to hunt, trap, trade, and eat these animals
regardless of the decline in population. And when a species does become extinct, drastic changes
in the ecosystem take place and serious harm can be done to that specific area.
Living in the United States, it may seem like there isn't much for me to do to help save
the endangered primates, but, in actuality, there's a lot I can do to help. With the problem of palm
oil plantations, I can be more aware of the products I am buying and make sure I'm not
purchasing or using anything that includes palm oil. I can recycle my cell phone instead of
throwing it into the garbage so that the mining of those minerals found in my phone is reduced. I
can support certain movements being lobbied in our government and voice my opinion about
how important it is to protect and preserve the habitats belonging to the animals. Most
importantly, I can educate myself on the threats many species are facing and help others become
aware of the harm we are causing and ways to put a stop to it. I may not be able to change the
status of one primate species, let alone all of them, but by doing what I can to help save them, I
can make a difference.

References
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