Coordinator: Nancy Ruggeri, Department of Zoology,
University of Wisconsin-Madison
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The World's Top 25 Most Endangered Primates- 2002
A recent report released by Conservation International (CI) and the Primate Specialist
Group of IUCN was finalized at the 2002 International Primatological Society meetings
in Beijing. It is a revision of their previously released "The World's Top 25 most Endangered Primates",
which indicates that about one out of every three primate species is currently
threatened with extinction. This updated version suggests that Indonesia now exceeds
Madagascar and Brazil for the country with the most endangered primates. However,
Madagascar, identified as one of the world's biodiversity hotspots, has 10 critically endangered
species, and 21 endangered species. For the full report, please refer to the link at the bottom
of this message.
Each week, we will be featuring one of the 25 primate species in peril. This is being
done in conjunction with Conservation International. The fact sheets are compiled by
Sean Flannery at the WPRC Library and Information Service.
Golden-headed Langur
Trachypithecus poliocephalus
Vietnam
This rare Asian colobine monkey is presently known only from Cat Ba,
the largest of more than
3,000 islands located in northeastern Vietnam's Halong Bay. Cat Ba is
a series of karst outcroppings largely covered by forest, with a
terrain too rocky for agriculture. Island inhabitants make their
living traditionally from the sea and more recently from a growing
tourism industry. This monkey sometimes winds up in the cooking pot,
but its bones and organs are more eagerly sought for their reputed
medicinal properties. As a result, hunting remains a serious threat.
Over the course of the last year, golden-headed langur numbers on Cat
Ba are reported to have dropped precipitously from more than 100 to
an estimated 60 or so. While much of the island falls within Cat Ba
National Park, not all the langur groups reside within its boundaries
and protection from poaching remains problematic. Some of the
surviving monkeys can occasionally be seen in early morning or late
afternoon amidst low vegetation that grows on nearly vertical rock
cliffs that face the sea, thus there is some potential for using
tourism to secure their future. Dr. Rosawitha Stenke (Allwetter Zoo
Muenster and the Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species
and Populations) has been stationed on Cat Ba for the past few years
and is heading up both protection and public awareness efforts in
collaboration with Vietnamese authorities and with support from
Conservation International. In addition, protection of the
golden-headed langur has been designated a priority project of Fauna
and Flora International's newly-created Flagship Species Fund.
Photo Links: http://www.primate.wisc.edu/pin/ci/ci015.html
Relevant Citations from Primate Lit (http://primatelit.library.wisc.edu/):
Hilton-Taylor C. 2000 IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES. Cambridge,
UK: IUCN. 2000. Pgs: xviii, 61 pp & CD
Nadler T. Status and action plan of the golden-headed langur
(Trachypithecus poliocephalus) -
the world's rarest primate. [Abstract]. THE 18TH CONGRESS OF THE
INTERNATIONAL PRIMATOLOGICAL SOCIETY. PRIMATES IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM.
ABSTRACTS
AND PROGRAMME. Adelaid: IPS. 2001. Pgs: 74
Roos C ; Nadler T ; Zhang Y ; Zischler H. Molecular evolution and
distribution of the superspecies Trachypithecus [francoisi].
[Abstract]. FOLIA PRIMATOLOGICA. 2001. 72(3). Pgs: 181-182
The full report is available at:
Full report
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Topics in Primate Conservation is supported by a grant RR00167,
Regional Primate Centers Program, National Center for Research
Resources, The National Institutes of Health.
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Posted Date: 07-23-03
