Primates are the closest relatives to humans and are an essential part of the world’s biodiversity, undoubtedly contributing to keeping the global ecosystem healthy.
Unfortunately, approximately 75% of the primate species population is drastically declining, and 60% of the primate species are close to extinction.
In this article, we discuss the 21 most endangered primates published and selected by the Species Survival Commission, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Bristol Zoological Society, Global Wildlife Conservation, International Primatological Society, and Primate Specialist Group.
What Are Primates?
Primate is a group of mammals that includes monkeys, humans, tarsiers, apes, lorises, and lemurs. They are kept in separate groups because of their well-developed features, such as having complex brains and flat nails on their digits.
21 Most Endangered Primates
About 90 countries are home to different primate species, and they most commonly occur in mainland Africa, Neotropics, Asia, and Madagascar. But unfortunately, some of their species will lose the world as their home for various reasons, including unsustainable human activities.
1. Tana River Red Colobus
- Scientific Name: Procolobus rufomitratus
- Habitat: The red colobus lives near the Tana River situated in Northern Kenya.
- Body: An adult Red colobus is 56cm long with a 80cm long tail and weighs around 8 kg.
- Threats to Red Colobus: The leading cause of their population reduction is the rapidly increasing population of humans in the region and the construction of hydroelectric dams. Due to the construction of dams, the vegetation of the tana river is changing. As a result, the ideal food for the red colobus is almost unavailable; therefore, they are starving and becoming endangered. Another decisive factors of their endangerment are certain parasitic infections and hunting by humans.
- Population: Less than 1000 red colobus remain, making them a critically endangered species.
- Conservation Status: The Tana River red colobus is considered a highly endangered species.
2. Tapanuli Orangutan
- Scientific Name: Pongo tapanuliensis
- Habitat: This species of primates are most commonly seen in subtropical and tropical broadleaf forests on the island of Indonesia and Sumatra, and are restricted to the South Tapanuli.
- Threats To Tapanuli Orangutan: This extremely rare great ape is becoming endangered because of specific threats that include: Illegal wildlife trade, Hunting, Hunting, Habitat destruction, Conflict with humans, Mining, Construction of proposed dams, and Hydropower project
- Population: According to a 2018 IUCN report, only 800 individuals of Tapanuli orangutans still exist.
- Conservation Status: Currently, the Tapanuli Orangutan is on the list of critically endangered species.
- Importance: The Orangutans are an essential species in the forest’s ecosystem for many reasons. One of the most common reasons for their importance is that they disperse seeds throughout the forest, creating an environment-friendly habitat.
3. Gaoligong Hoolock Gibbon
- Scientific Name: Hoolock tian xing
- Natural Territory: Mt. Gaoligong region of southwestern China and the mountain forests of eastern Myanmar are home to the Skywalker hoolock gibbon or Gaoligong hoolock gibbon.
- Appearance: Skywalker hoolock gibbon adult males and females have different appearances. The adult Gaoligong Gibbon females are buffy brown and have light-colored crowns, while the adult males are black. But their eyebrows are white, which is the diagnostic characteristic of this species.
- Threats To Gaoligong Hoolock Gibbon: Illegal Hunting, Deforestation, Pet trade, and Habitat loss
- Population: Less than 150 Gaoligong Hoolock Gibbon are left in the world.
- Conservation Status: This primate species is included in the endangered species list.
4. Ecuadorian White-Fronted Capuchin
- Scientific Name: Cebus aequatorialis
- Habitat: As the Ecuadorian White-Fronted Capuchin has lost 90% of its total habitat, they are found only from western Ecuador to northwestern Peru.
- Body: This primate is about 30 to 50 cm long and reaches full size when they become a grown adult. It weighs, on average, between 2.5 to 4 kg. Females are slightly smaller in size than males.
- They have creamy hair and a pink face. This primate has large nostrils with flat noses.
- Threats To Ecuadorian White-Fronted Capuchin: Grazing, Habitat fragmentation, Illegal mining, Anthropogenic factors, and Deforestation
- Population: Only 300 individuals of Ecuadorian White-Fronted Capuchin are now living in the wild.
- Conservation Status: Due to the rapid decline in the Ecuadorian Capuchin population, it is a critically endangered species.
5. Bemanasy Mouse Lemur
- Scientific Name: Microcebus manitatra
- Natural Territory: The Southeastern Madagascar forest fragment is home to the Bemanasy mouse lemur. It was discovered in 2016 as a separate species.
- Physical Appearance: Among all the mouse lemurs, this species is somewhat larger. On their tail and back, a greyish-brown coat appears.
- Threats to Bemanasy Mouse Lemur: Slash-and-burn agriculture, Logging
- Population: The remaining population of this species is very small although the exact number is unknown.
- Conservation Status: It is a critically endangered primate and is near extinction.
6. James’ Sportive Lemur
- Scientific Name: Lepilemur jamesorum
- James’ sportive lemur, also called Manombo sportive lemur.
- Habitat: The manobo sportive lemur lives in southeastern Madagascar’s primary and secondary lowland forests.
- Body: This lemur is counted among the largest sportive lemurs and is 60 to 67 cm long, of which 28 to 32cm is tail.
- Threats: Pet trade, Habitat loss, Hunting for bushmeat
- Population: Less than 2000, about 1,386 Manombo sportive lemurs remain in the world.
- Conservation Status: James’ Sportive Lemur is also a critically endangered primate, according to the IUCN report.
7. Lac Alaotra Bamboo Lemur
- Scientific Name: Hapalemur alaotrensis
- Alternative names include: Alaotra reed lemur, Alaotran gentle lemur, Alaotran bamboo lemur, or Lac Alaotra mild lemur.
- Habitat: This species of primates resides in northeast Madagascar around Lac Alaotra. It doesn’t eat bamboo and specifically lives in papyrus reeds.
- Body: It usually appears in brownish-gray color and has a 40 cm long body and 40 cm long tail. It weighs between 1.1 and 1.4 kg.
- Threats: Hunting for pet trade and food, Habitat destruction, Burning marshland
- Population: According to an estimation in 2018, the total population of the Lac Alaotra gentle lemur is 2,500.
- Conservation Status: Unfortunately, this primate is also considered a critically endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
8. Indri
- Scientific Name: Indri indri
- Habitat And Distribution: Madagascar is home to Indri. They don’t inhabit the Masoala Peninsula but reside in the mid-latitude rainforest and the primary and secondary lowlands of the eastern rainforest.
- Physical Appearance: Indri has a white and black coat and weighs between 6 and 9 kg. It has a length of 64 to 72cm.
- Threats: Fragmentation, Habitat destruction, Logging, Illegal Hunting
- Population: According to a report, this primate has a remaining population of between 1,000-9,000.
- Conservation Status: Indri is rated as a critically endangered primate by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
9. Hainan Gibbon
- Scientific Name: Nomascus hainanus
- Hainan black-crested gibbon is another familiar name for Hainan gibbon
- Habitat And Distribution: This primate only lives on Hainan island. Usually it inhabits semi-deciduous monsoon forests and broad-leaved forests.
- Threats: Hunting, Habitat loss, Pet trade
- Population: The remaining population of the Hainan black-crested gibbons is only 30 individuals. Therefore it is not only considered the world’s rarest ape, but also the rarest mammal.
- Conservation Status: Hainan gibbons are critically endangered primates.
10. Northern Sportive Lemurs
- Scientific Name: Lepilemur septentrionalis
- Northern sportive lemurs are also famous as northern weasel lemurs or Sahafary sportive lemurs.
- Habitat And Distribution: Northern sportive lemurs are native to Northern Madagascar. The natural territory of this primate is small areas of deciduous forests north of the Irodo River, in the immediate vicinity of Andrahona and close to villages of Ankarongana and Madirobe in the Sahafary region.
- Threats: Natural Habitat loss, Illegal Hunting
- Population: The remaining individuals of the Sahafary sportive lemur are only 50 to 70.
- Conservation Status: The IUCN red list reported the northern weasel lemur as a critically endangered species.
11. Red Colobus Monkeys
- Scientific Name: Piliocolobus
- Habitat and Distribution: This primate is commonly distributed as allo- or parapatric and is native to eastern, central, and southern Africa. It is either arboreal or sometimes likes to live in the coastal thickets and scrub.
- Threats: Natural territory destruction, Hunting
- Population: The remaining population of red colobus monkeys is 3290- 4400 individuals.
- Conservation Status: Out of 18 types, 14 red colobus monkeys are critically endangered, according to the IUCN red list.
12. Caquetá Titi Monkey
- Scientific Name: Plecturocebus caquetensis
- Habitat: The bushy-bearded titi occurs in the Department of Caquetá region in Columbia. Humid and hot rainforests are the ideal home for the Caquetá titi monkeys.
- Threats: The main threat that is leading to the decline in the population of red-bearded titi is habitat destruction.
- Population: Less than 250 adult Caquetá titi monkeys are alive, and thus there is an excellent need to conserve this primate; otherwise, it will become extinct in the coming years.
- Conservation Status: IUCN classified it as a critically endangered primate.
13. Gray-Shanked Douc Langur
- Scientific Name: Pygathrix cinerea
- Distribution and Habitat: Grey-shanked douc is native to the Quảng Ngãi, Quảng Nam, Kon Tum, Bình Định, and Gia Lai Vietnamese provinces.
- Threats: Natural territory loss and hunting are the major threats to Pygathrix cinerea primates.
- Population: The population of Gray-Shanked Douc in 2004 was about 550 to 700 individuals, but in 2016 it was reported that their population had increased to 1000.
- Conservation Status: Gray-Shanked Douc Langur is also a critically endangered primate.
14. Tonkin Snub-Nosed Monkey
- Scientific Name: Rhinopithecus avunculus
- Tonkin snub-nosed monkey is also called Dollman’s snub-nosed monkey
- Natural Territory: Among the karst limestone, isolated forest fragments of northern Vietnam are home to the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey.
- Threats: Hunting, Habitat loss, Fragmentation
- Population: Only 200 to 250 individuals of Dollman’s snub-nosed monkey are left worldwide.
- Conservation Status: It is among the critically endangered primates list of IUCN.
15. Golden-Headed Langur
- Scientific Name: Trachypithecus poliocephalus
- Distribution And Habitat: Golden-headed langurs are widely distributed in the limestone forests of Cát Bà Island, Northern Vietnam.
- Threats: Hunting, and Habitat fragmentation, such as development for tourism and human encroachment
- Population: Unfortunately, less than 70 individuals of this unique primate, the Golden-headed langur, are left worldwide.
- Conservation Status: The golden-headed langur is on the threatened species list of IUCN.
16. Aye-aye
- Scientific Name: Daubentonia madagascariensis
- Habitat: Madagascar is home to the Aye-aye primate.
- Threats: Hunting, Habitat destruction, Destruction of rainforests
- Population: The number of aye-aye individuals is about 1,000 to 10,000 worldwide and is not considered critically endangered.
- Conservation Status: The IUCN has listed aye-aye as an endangered primate.
- Fact: Aye-aye is the largest nocturnal primate on our planet.
17. Rondo Dwarf Galago
- Scientific Name: Paragalago rondoensis
- Habitat and Distribution: The tropical or subtropical coastal dry forests of Tanzania and the surroundings of Dar es Salam are the native regions of the Rondo dwarf galago.
- Threats: Hunting and Loss of natural home due to logging
- Population: The exact number of living Rondo bushbaby population is unknown yet, but it is decreasing with time.
- Conservation Status: It is counted among the endangered primates of the world.
18. Roloway Monkey
- Scientific Name: Cercopithecus roloway
- Habitat: The Roloway monkey is native to tropical West Africa. It occurs in Togo, Burkina Faso, Ghana forests, and the eastern ivory coast.
- The natural habitat of the Roloway monkey is considered complex because they have multiple places to escape, view and hide.
- Threats: The loss of natural territory and hunting are the main reasons for their reduction on our planet.
- Population: The population of Roloway monkeys is merely 300 because the environment is badly affecting it.
- Conservation Status: The rollaway monkey is a critically endangered primate.
19. Eastern Black Crested Gibbon
- Scientific Name: Nomascus nasutus
- Habitat and Distribution: Eastern black crested gibbons most commonly occur in Northern Vietnam and southeast China. It favors mountainous areas and deciduous forests, semi-evergreen and evergreen forests of the subtropical region.
- Threats: Deforestation, Poaching, and Encroachment
- Population: Less than 250 mature Eastern black crested gibbons remain.
- Conservation Status: It is also a critically endangered primate which means it is one of the rarest species.
20. Greater Bamboo Lemur
- Scientific Name: Prolemur simus
- Habitat: The island of southeastern Madagascar is home to the Greater bamboo lemur.
- Threats: Deforestation, Slash-and-burn agriculture, and the effects of climate change on the Greater bamboo lemur’s teeth are also considered a safe reason for their population reduction by scientists.
- Population: 100 to 160 broad-nosed bamboo lemurs remain in their native regions, and 20 in captivity.
- Conservation Status: The broad-nosed gentle lemur is among the endangered primates continuously reducing in number.
21. Perrier’s Sifaka
- Scientific Name: Propithecus perrieri
- Habitat And Distribution: Perrier’s sifaka is endemic to Madagascar. Specifically, they inhabit the semi humid or dry deciduous forests in the northeast part of Madagascar.
- Threats: Fragmentation and habitat destruction due to logging, charcoal gathering, and slash and burn are the main reasons that Perrier’s sifaka became a critically endangered primate.
- Population: Only 500 individuals of the Perrier’s sifaka remain in the world.
- Conservation Status: According to an IUCN report, the Perrier’s sifaka is critically endangered.
Wrapping Up:
With the increasing human population, deforestation, construction, and hunting, our planet is becoming unfavorable for many species of animals, including primates. Conservation of primates is the only way to increase the population of primates.
Thank you for reading this article!
Author at Animals Around The Globe. BA Gender Studies & Literature
Josie is Swedish but has lived in South Africa for 12 years. She spends as much time as possible in the ocean or hiking in the mountains, no matter the weather. Although she adores all sorts of animals, dogs occupy the biggest spot in her heart – especially her Maltese-Chihuahua named Bootsy.
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