Primate Conservation “It is my firm belief that unless we work together to change attitudes at all levels - from world leaders to the consumers of illegal bushmeat - there will be no viable populations of great apes in the wild within 50 years.” –Dr Jane Goodall

Major threats to Primates Capture of wild primates for zoos and research is rare today, but those populations are still suffering numbers. Hunting and the bushmeat trade. The largest threat, with the most irreversible impact is the destruction of primate’s habitat.

Range of the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes )

There are only about 700 mountain gorillas remaining in the wild.

Habitat Loss: Forest fragmentation Fragmentation into isolated pockets. This creates home ranges which are too small for primate (and other animals) sustainability. Creates easier access for human involvement (hunting, farming etc). Selective logging also leads to forest fragmentation.

Habitat Loss: Deforestation Causes: –increase in human population. decrease of available space, increase of food production, etc.

Palm Oil plantation

Bushmeat What “bushmeat” is: meat of wild animals. Typically the term is used when referring to African wild animals. It affects primates, and other protected species, in Asia and South and Central America as well as Africa.

Bushmeat Many of the mammals at risk are primates, including: –Chimpanzees –Bonobos –Gorillas –Mandrills –Colobus Monkeys

Bushmeat Mostly OWM central and west Africa In the DRC 5-7% of chimp and gorilla populations are killed each year.

Bushmeat A 12 month study in Brazzaville (in the northern Congo) counted 15,000 animal carcasses at bushmeat markets, including 293 chimpanzees. A study conducted between 1983 and 2000 revealed that ape populations in Gabon declined by more than half, and the leading cause for this decline was commercial hunting (and logging).

Bushmeat Economics: most studies on the economics of the bushmeat trade come from central Africa. Estimated that bushmeat accounts for roughly 33% of village income in Cameroon, and 25% of rural income.

Bushmeat Why: for food, to demonstrate wealth, for commerce. Humans have been doing this for 1000s of years. Why is it so important now? –Increase in human populations lead to an increase in bushmeat trade and consumption.

Conservation issues We are not looking at a single issue, even if that issue is as large as deforestation or the bushmeat trade. These issues are interrelated: there are many instances of deforestation leading to a rise in the bushmeat trade (as areas become more accessible to hunters, or because loggers hunt for their own needs) Other, temporary issues arise: ex. Rwandan and Guatemalan genocides.

Conservation strategies Studies and surveys to keep tabs on primate population statistics. Systematic monitoring of protected areas. Implement codes of conduct for timber companies which would include ‘no hunting’ policies, reinforce already existing laws, etc.

Conservation Strategies Education on: –Conservation –Risks (for humans as well as non-human primates). –Resources –Sustainability

Conservation Strategies Cooperation: – Individuals – Communities – Nations and governments

Conservation Strategies Rhesus Macaques were heavily imported into the US from India for medical research, but when surveys showed that wild populations were locally threatened, bans on exportation were put into place.

Conservation Strategies Companies which do not use palm oil: –Breyer's Natural Ice Cream –"Dirty" Potato Chips –Lean Cuisine

Conservation It’s not too late! While the situation is dire, these primates are not yet extinct. Humans have brought back animals from the brink of extinction before, it IS possible (for example in the 1800s white tail deer were endangered and on the brink of extinction in the United States).