Some of our furry cousins have it rough. No matter where inhabited, most primates are exposed to human activities which lead to their endangerment.
Habitat destruction, illegal hunting, and deforestation leave these animals homeless and without food sources. This severely affects their quality of life and makes surviving a challenge.
Let’s take a look at 7 most endangered primates and learn just how many of them are actually left.
1. Aye-Aye
This creature definitely won’t win any beauty contests, but it still deserves a place in this world.
The Aye-Aye spends its days sleeping, while the nights are dedicated to eating and wandering around.
Only around 1,000 to 10,000 of these creatures remain worldwide. Though not critically endangered, these numbers are concerning. The main factors behind this are hunting and deforestation.
2. Indri
The Indri is a long-limbed primate, known for its fluffy fur and unique ears.
Inhibiting in Madagascar’s forests, where it enjoys eating fruit, seeds, or flowers.
Illegal hunting, habitat fragmentation, and logging play a huge role in its slow disappearance.
With around 1,000 – 9,000 of them remaining, Indris are on the list of the most endangered primate species.
3. Bemanasy Mouse Lemur
Do these big, round eyes remind you of someone? You’ve guessed it right! This little guy is Mort from “Madagascar”.
The exact number of these creatures remaining is unknown. Their population decline is primarily due to agriculture and logging, which leads to their risk of extinction.
Just look how cute it is! Can you imagine it being gone?
4. Perrier’s Sifaka
Another Madagascar creature on the edge of existence due to habitat destruction and hunting.
With its big, round eyes, the Perrier’s Sifaka is truly one of a kind. Unfortunately, it’s mostly known for being endangered.
With around 500 Perrier’s Sifakas remaining, we might not have much more time to adore it.
5. Roloway Monkey
This species is native to West Africa, where habitat loss and hunting led to its dramatic decline in number.
Here’s the shocking part: only around 300 Roloway Monkeys remain, which makes them one of the most endangered species in the world.
6. Gaoligong Hoolock Gibbon
Also known as the Skywalker monkey, this name was given by the researchers who discovered it, inspired by their love of the “Star Wars”. How cool is that?
But here comes the sad part: fewer than 150 of these monkeys remain in the wild, mainly due illegal hunting, deforestation, and habitat loss.
7. Greater Bamboo Lemur
According to the IUCN Red List, this species is registered as the world’s most critically endangered primate.
Although at one point this species was thought to be extinct, until a small population was rediscovered in 1986.
And now, history repeats itself! Climate changes and human activity have left 100 to 160 of them remaining in the wild. How sad is that?