Description

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Context

Primates are crucial for tropical forest ecosystems as seed dispersers and ecological indicators.

Many primates are critically endangered due to habitat destruction, hunting and climate change.

The report Primates in Peril 2023–2025 identifies the 25 most endangered primates globally.

Highlights of the Report

Category	Details
Scope	Africa, Asia, Madagascar, South America (Neotropics)
New Additions	15 primates new to this list, 8 added for the first time

Continental Breakdown

Region	No. of Species
Asia	9
Africa	6
Madagascar	4
South America (Neotropics)	6

Two Most Critically Endangered Primates (Featured)

Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli)

Location: Cameroon & Nigeria (border region)

Status: Critically Endangered (IUCN)

Threats: Habitat fragmentation, bushmeat hunting, low genetic diversity

Tapanuli Orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis)

Location: Sumatra, Indonesia

Status: Critically Endangered (IUCN)

Notable Fact: Smallest population among all great apes (<800 individuals)

Threats: Infrastructure projects, habitat degradation

Indian Context: Primates Considered for the Final List

Phayre’s Langur (Trachypithecus phayrei)

Distribution: Eastern Bangladesh, northeastern India, western Myanmar

Status: Endangered (IUCN)

Concerns

50–80% decline in population suspected over three generations

Fragmented, shrinking habitats

Threats: Hunting, habitat loss, illegal trade, electrocution and roadkills

Hybridization with capped langurs may affect genetic integrity

Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock)

Distribution: Northeast India, Eastern Bangladesh, and parts of Myanmar

Status: Endangered (IUCN)

India’s Only Ape

Primary Threats

Habitat destruction from tea gardens, jhum cultivation, infrastructure

Hunting for food and medicine

Illegal pet trade

Local extinctions in fragmented habitats

Broader Conservation Challenges

Challenge	Description
Habitat Fragmentation	Due to agriculture, roads, plantations
Lack of Research	Poor population data and genetic studies
Poaching & Trade	Targeted for meat, medicine, and pet trade
Hybridization	Undermines species identity (e.g., Phayre’s Langur)
Lack of Enforcement	Weak implementation of conservation laws

Primates

Primates are a diverse group of mammals that includes lemurs, monkeys, apes and humans.

They belong to the order Primates under the class Mammalia.

India is home to a wide range of primates, many of which are endemic and some are endangered.

Characteristics of Primates

Trait	Description
Opposable thumbs	Adapted for grasping objects and climbing
Large brain-to-body ratio	Advanced cognitive functions
Stereoscopic vision	3D depth perception for life in trees
Social structure	Complex social behaviors and hierarchies
Parental care	Prolonged infant dependency and learning
Diet	Omnivorous – fruits, leaves, insects, etc.

Classification of Primates

Suborder	Examples	Key Features
Strepsirrhines	Lemurs, Lorises	More primitive, strong sense of smell
Haplorhines	Monkeys, Apes, Humans	Larger brains, better vision

Primates in India

India hosts 15 species of primates, some of which are endemic and endangered.

Major Native Species

Species	Status (IUCN)	Range	Remarks
Lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus)	Endangered	Western Ghats	Endemic, arboreal
Nilgiri langur (Semnopithecus johnii)	Vulnerable	Western Ghats	Black fur, yellow mane
Hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock)	Endangered	Northeast India	Only ape in India
Bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata)	Least Concern	South India	Adaptable to human habitations
Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta)	Least Concern	North & Central India	Widely distributed
Capped langur (Trachypithecus pileatus)	Vulnerable	Northeast India	Arboreal & social
Gee’s golden langur (Trachypithecus geei)	Endangered	Assam, Bhutan	Sacred, limited range

Conservation Efforts in India

Legal Protection

Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Most primates are in Schedule I, providing maximum protection.

Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

Protected Areas & Reserves

Species	Protected Area
Lion-tailed macaque	Silent Valley NP, Kalakkad Mundanthurai TR
Nilgiri langur	Periyar TR, Mukurthi NP
Hoolock gibbon	Namdapha NP, Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary
Golden langur	Chakrashila WLS, Manas NP

Conservation Programs

Project Lion-tailed Macaque by Kerala and Tamil Nadu Forest Departments.

Translocation and rescue operations in urban conflict zones.

India is part of UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Programme.

Many Indian primates are included in Appendix I of CITES restricting international trade.

Sources:

DOWNTOEARTH

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Conservation of lesser-known primate species is as critical as that of charismatic megafauna.” Discuss with reference to India’s primate diversity and conservation efforts. 250 words