CONSERVATION STATUS
CITES: Appendix II (http://www.cites.org).
IUCN Red List: G. demidoff, G. moholi, G. senegalensis, G. thomasi: LR/lc; G.
alleni, G. gallarum, G. matschiei, G. zanzibaricus: LR/nt; G. rondoensis: EN
(B2ab(i, ii, iii, iv, v)); G. granti, G. orinus: DD (http://www.redlist.org).
CITES lists all the species of Galago in Appendix II, which lists
species that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but that may
become so unless trade is closely controlled (http://www.cites.org).
Galago moholiPhoto: Gerald Doyle
IUCN Red List classifies G. demidoff, G. moholi, G. senegalensis, and G.
thomasi as Lower Risk/Least Concern (LR/lc). Typically, species classified as
such have been evaluated, and do not satisfy the criteria for any of the
categories Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable and do not qualify
for Conservation Dependent or Near Threatened classifications. G. alleni, G.
gallarum, G. matschiei, and G. zanzibaricus are classified as Lower Risk/Near
Threatened (LR/nt) which means that they do not satisfy the criteria for the
categories Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable and do not qualify
for a Conservation Dependent classification, but are close to qualifying for
Vulnerable. G. rondoensis is listed as Endangered (EN B2ab (i, ii, iii, iv, v)
which means that the species is facing a very high risk of extinction in the
wild due to an area of occupancy estimated at being less than 500 km2 (193.1
mi2)and estimates indicate that populations are severely fragmented or are known
to exist at no more than five locations. In addition, a continuing decline is
observed, inferred, or projected in their extent of occurrence, area of
occupancy, area, extent, and/or quality of habitat, number of locations or
subpopulations, and the number of mature individuals. G. granti, and G. orinus
are listed as Data Deficient (DD) which means that there is inadequate
information to make a direct or indirect assessment of its risk of extinction
(http://www.redlist.org).
Generally, bushbabies are considered adaptable and some species may be able
to cope with some habitat degradation (Butynski et al. 1998; Ambrose 2006;
Butynski et al. 2006). In some cases, bushbabies are still found in
agricultural areas mixed with forest remnants (Butynski et al. 2006). G.
demidoff, for example, is able to live in secondary habitats and near areas of
human disturbance and G. gallarum is present in habitats which are significantly
degraded by the overgrazing of livestock (Ambrose & Perkin 1999-2000;
Butynski & de Jong 2004). Another example is G. alleni, which is sometimes
found near roads and cultivation and in recently logged forests (Ambrose 2003).
However, some species are extremely threatened. This is the case with the Rondo
dwarf bushbaby (Galago rondoensis), which is listed as one of the
world's 25 Most Endangered Primates (Mittermeier et al. 2007).
CONSERVATION THREATS
Threat: Human-Induced Habitat Loss and Degradation
As with most primates, habitat degradation, disturbance and loss are the most
serious threats to many species of bushbaby (Butynski 1996/1997; Butynski et al.
1998; Ambrose 2006; Mittermeier et al. 2007). While bushbabies in general are
quite widespread, some have more restricted ranges and are correspondingly, more
susceptible comparable amounts of habitat loss and degradation (Bearder 2007).
In Tanzania, for example, in addition to habitat destruction occurring as a
result of logging, montane forest is cleared for agriculture and lowland forest
is removed for rice, sugar, and rubber agriculture (Butynski et al. 1998). One
of the most endangered bushbabies, G. rondonensis is threatened by the expansion
of agriculture, charcoal manufacturing and logging (Mittermeier et al. 2007).
Elsewhere, species in Uganda are threatened by the clearance of forest for
gardens (Ambrose 2006).
In forests that have been logged, bushbabies are found at lower densities
than in primary forests (Weisenseel et al. 1993).
Threat: Harvesting (hunting/gathering)
In Tanzania, bushbabies are not actively hunted and elsewhere in central and
west Africa, are only very rarely found in bushmeat markets (review by
Bowen-Jones & Pendry 1999; Jørgensbye 2007). However, even one of
the smallest bushbabies, G. demidoff, is reported eaten on Bioko Island, West
Africa (Albrechtsen et al. 2006). This may mean that even though they are
diminutive, bushbabies are not immune from threats posed by hunting and the
bushmeat trade.
Threat: Accidental Mortality
Galagos have been found in traps designed to capture birds in Equatorial Guinea
(Garcia & Mba 1997).
LINKS TO MORE ABOUT CONSERVATION
CONSERVATION INFORMATION
CONSERVATION NEWS
ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED IN Galago CONSERVATION
Content last modified: April 10, 2008
Written by Kurt Gron.
Cite this page as:
Gron KJ. 2008 April 10. Primate Factsheets: Lesser bushbaby (Galago) Conservation. <http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/lesser_bushbaby/cons>. Accessed 2008 May 16.
