An international report has identified 25 of the most dangerous primates on Earth, highlighting the urgent need for conservation actions on four continents. The 12th Biennale launch reveals devastating population losses and shrinking habitats that have the potential to eliminate some of our closest evolutionary relatives in decades.
Key Countdown: Shocking State of Global Primate Protection
The newly released report “Primes in Danger: The 25 Most Endangered Primates in the World 2023-2025”, compiled by the IUCN SSC Primate Expert Group, the International Primitive Society and RE: WILD, depicts the instability facing primates around the world.
The comprehensive assessment includes six from Africa, four from Madagascar, nine from Asia, and six from new (Central and South America). Indonesia and Madagascar have four endangered species, while China, Nigeria and Vietnam have three.
“The situation is dramatic. If we don’t act now, we will lose some of these species forever,” warned Christian Roos, a geneticist at the German Primate Center. “But there is hope – if science, politics and society act together.”
From giant apes to tiny lemurs: Various species face common threats
The most shocking case is the Tapanelli Orangutan (Pongo Tapanuliensis) Sumatra, identified as the most endangered species of great ape, with fewer than 800 people remaining in the wild. The species was scientifically described in 2017 only and has faced imminent extinction due to habitat fragmentation and development projects.
In the opposite extreme case, Mrs. Bate’s mouse lemur (Calculus berthaeMadagascar – Weight of just 30 grams as the smallest primate in the world) has experienced a catastrophic population collapse. Recent investigations have failed to find the species in many previously occupied areas.
“The species also disappeared from most remaining intact forests, which suggests the terrifying consequences of possible conservation measures,” explains Peter Kappeler. “This may be the first primate we will lose forever in the 21st century, because there are no captive populations, either.”
Major threats drive primate extinction
The report identifies four main factors that push these primates to extinction:
- Habitat destruction and fragmentation due to agriculture, logging and development
- Searching for Jungle and Traditional Medicine
- The impact of climate change on professional habitats
- Illegal wildlife trafficking in pets and entertainment
What makes these extinctions particularly concerned? For many species, their ecological effects cannot be filled by other animals. As Roos points out: “Every primate we lose means not only irreparable losses to nature, but also us humans. Because primates are not only fascinating animals, but also key species in our ecosystem.”
Protecting success stories provide hope
Despite the tough outlook, the report highlights some conservation plans and these initiatives show encouraging results. In Peru, Peruvian yellow-tailed wool monkey (Lagothrix Flavicauda), rediscovered after being considered extinct 50 years ago, has benefited from targeted protection measures.
For Cat Ba Langur(Serticos polio) Vietnam, intensive conservation efforts have helped the population grow from a low of about 40 people in 2003 to more than 90 people in mid-2024.
Recommended protection strategies
This report outlines several crucial protection methods:
The expansion of protected areas is crucial, especially in areas with primate diversity but limited conservation infrastructure. It is equally important to have meaningful participation of indigenous communities and local populations, who are often the most effective stewards of primate habitats.
Policy reforms to illegal wildlife trafficking and deforestation, coupled with sustainable funding mechanisms for long-term conservation programs, fill out the recommended strategies.
The launch of the Biennale, announced at the International Principal Society Conference, is a key purpose beyond scientific documentation. By focusing on these endangered species, the researchers aim to mobilize public support and fund research and practical conservation measures before it is too late.
As habitat continues to shrink and threaten breeding, it becomes increasingly urgent to save these extraordinary primates. The coming years will determine whether humans can retain their closest relatives or lose their extinction forever – a preventable tragedy that has profound implications for global biodiversity.
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