The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates facts for kids

The silky sifaka (Propithecus candidus), found only in Madagascar, has been on The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates list since its creation in 2000. Only about 100 to 1,000 of these animals are left in the wild.

The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates is a special list of primate species that are in great danger of disappearing forever. This list is put together by several important groups that work to protect animals, like the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the International Primatological Society (IPS). The list started in 2000 to help people notice which primates needed the most help. Since 2004, the list has been called "Primates in Peril: The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates."

Every two years, experts update the list. They add new information about each species, including how many are left and what dangers they face. Many experts from around the world help write these reports.

The 25 species on the 2018–2020 list live in 32 different countries. Madagascar has the most species on the list with five. Indonesia, Brazil, Ghana, and Cote d'Ivoire each have three. The list divides these primates into four main areas: Madagascar, Africa, Asia (including Indonesian islands), and the Americas (Central and South America).

The main goal of this list is to show everyone which primates are most at risk. It also encourages governments and other groups to find ways to protect these animals. Primates are chosen for the list if there are very few of them left or if their numbers are dropping very quickly. The biggest problems for primates are losing their homes and being hunted.

Some specific threats include:

• Losing their habitat because forests are cut down for farming, ranching, making charcoal, or getting firewood.
• Illegal logging and mining.
• Forests becoming broken up into smaller pieces.
• Being caught alive for the exotic pet trade.
• Being hunted for bushmeat (meat from wild animals) or for traditional medicine.

Sometimes, species are removed from the list. This doesn't always mean they are safe. It can mean that other species now need more attention because their future looks even worse.

Understanding the List

This section helps you understand the tables below.

Primates on the Current List (2018–2020)

Here are some of the primates that are currently on the list of the world's most endangered.

The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates, 2018–2020: Madagascar

Species	Years listed	Location(s)	Estimated population	IUCN status	Threats
Bemanasy mouse lemur Microcebus manitatra	2018	Madagascar	unknown	Critically Endangered	losing homes (farms taking over)
Lac Alaotra bamboo lemur Hapalemur alaotrensis	2000 2014 2016 2018	Madagascar	2,500 (2018 estimate)	Critically Endangered	losing homes (farms, burning wetlands for rice or cattle) hunting (for food) caught for pets
James' sportive lemur Lepilemur jamesorum	2016 2018	Madagascar	1,386 (2010 estimate)	Critically Endangered	losing homes (shifting farms) hunting (for food) caught for pets
Indri Indri indri	2012 2018	Madagascar	unknown	Critically Endangered	losing homes (slash-and-burn farming, firewood collection) hunting (for food, skins)
Aye-aye Daubentonia madagascariensis	2016 2018	Madagascar	unknown	Endangered	losing homes (logging, farming, fires) hunting (seen as pests, local beliefs, for food)

The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates, 2012–2014: Africa

Species	Years listed	Location(s)	Estimated population	IUCN status	Threats
Rondo dwarf galago Galagoides rondoensis	2006 2008 2010 2012	Tanzania	unknown	Critically Endangered	lives in a very small area losing and breaking up homes (farming, charcoal, logging)
Roloway monkey Cercopithecus roloway	2002 2006 2008 2010 2012	Côte d'Ivoire Ghana	unknown	Endangered	hunting (for food) losing and breaking up homes (farming, charcoal, logging)
Tana River red colobus Procolobus rufomitratus	2002 2004 2006 2008 2012	Kenya	1,100–1,300	Endangered	hunting (for food) losing and breaking up homes (farming, fires, firewood, logging for local use) homes getting worse (livestock, dams, irrigation) diseases in small groups
Bioko red colobus Piliocolobus pennantii pennantii	2004 2006 2010 2012	Equatorial Guinea (Bioko Island)	fewer than 5,000	Endangered	homes getting worse hunting (for food) lives in a small area
Eastern lowland gorilla Gorilla beringei graueri	2010 2012	Democratic Republic of the Congo	5,000	Critically Endangered	losing and breaking up homes (farming, illegal mining, charcoal, wood cutting) hunting (for food, baby gorillas captured)

The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates, 2012–2014: Asia

Species	Years listed	Location(s)	Estimated population	IUCN status	Threats
Javan slow loris Nycticebus javanicus	2008 2010 2012	Indonesia (Java)	unknown	Critically Endangered	caught alive (for pet trade, very common) hunting (for traditional medicine, very common) losing homes (farming, roads, human activity)
Pig-tailed langur Simias concolor	2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012	Indonesia (Mentawai Islands)	700–3,347	Critically Endangered	losing homes (human activity, logging, turning land into farms) hunting (for food) caught for pets
Delacour's langur Trachypithecus delacouri	2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012	Vietnam	fewer than 250	Critically Endangered	homes broken up hunting (for food, traditional medicine)
Golden-headed langur Trachypithecus poliocephalus	2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012	Vietnam	60–70	Critically Endangered	homes broken up (human activity, building for tourism) hunting (for food, traditional medicine)
Western purple-faced langur Semnopithecus vetulus nestor	2004 2006 2008 2010 2012	Sri Lanka	unknown	Critically Endangered	losing and breaking up homes (cities growing, farms taking over) relies on gardens to survive caught for pets hunting (seen as pests) other dangers (electric lines, road accidents, dog attacks)
Grey-shanked douc Pygathrix cinerea	2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012	Vietnam	600–700	Critically Endangered	lives in a small area losing and breaking up homes (farming, illegal logging, firewood) hunting (for food, traditional medicine) caught for pets
Tonkin snub-nosed monkey Rhinopithecus avunculus	2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012	Vietnam	200–250	Critically Endangered	losing and breaking up homes (logging, firewood, roads) hunting (for food, traditional medicine)
Eastern black crested gibbon Nomascus nasutus	2008 2010 2012	China Vietnam	around 110	Critically Endangered	losing, breaking up, and disturbing homes (farming, ranching, firewood, charcoal) hunting (for food)
Pygmy tarsier Tarsius pumilus	2012	Indonesia (Sulawesi)	unknown	Data deficient	losing homes (human activity)

The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates, 2012–2014: Neotropics

Species	Years listed	Location(s)	Estimated population	IUCN status	Threats
Brown spider monkey Ateles hybridus	2004 2006 2008 2010 2012	Colombia Venezuela	unknown	Critically Endangered	losing and breaking up homes (farming, cattle ranches, logging) hunting (for food) caught for pets
Brown-headed spider monkey Ateles fusciceps fusciceps	2006 2012	Ecuador	unknown	Critically Endangered	losing and breaking up homes hunting (for food)
Kaapori capuchin Cebus kaapori	2012	Brazil	unknown	Critically Endangered	losing and damaging homes (logging) hunting (for food) caught for pets
Rio Mayo titi Callicebus oenanthe	2012	Peru	unknown	Critically Endangered	losing and breaking up homes (rice and coffee farms, roads, cattle ranches) hunting (for food) caught for pets
Northern brown howler Alouatta guariba guariba	2012	Brazil	fewer than 250	Critically Endangered	losing homes (logging) hunting (for food) diseases

Primates Formerly on the List

Over time, species are added or removed from the list. Sometimes, a species is removed because conservation efforts have helped it. For example, the black lion tamarin and golden lion tamarin were removed in 2006–2008 because they were doing better. These animals still have small populations, but people are working hard to protect them.

However, not all species are removed because their situation improved. Sometimes, new species are added to bring attention to other animals that are also in great danger. For instance, the Javan slow loris replaced another loris species to highlight the severe threats it faces from the pet trade and traditional medicine.

Primates formerly listed in the Top 25 Most Endangered Primates: Madagascar

Species	Years listed	Location(s)	Estimated population	IUCN status	Threats
Greater bamboo lemur Prolemur simus	2002 2004 2006 2008 2010	Madagascar	500 or fewer	Critically Endangered	small, separate groups losing and breaking up homes (slash-and-burn farming, mining, illegal logging, cutting bamboo) hunting (for food) less drinking water due to climate change relies only on giant bamboo for food
Black-and-white ruffed lemur Varecia variegata	2010	Madagascar	unknown	Critically Endangered	losing and breaking up homes (slash-and-burn farming, mining, logging) hunting (for food)
Gray-headed lemur Eulemur cinereiceps	2004 2006 2008	Madagascar	7,265 ± 2,268	Endangered	very small living area (~700 km2) mixing with red-fronted lemurs low numbers in groups losing and breaking up homes (small, broken groups) cyclones hunting (for food)
Golden-crowned sifaka Propithecus tattersalli	2000	Madagascar	6,000–10,000	Endangered	hunting (by gold miners) losing homes (slash-and-burn farming, uncontrolled fires, cutting wood, logging, gold mining)
Golden bamboo lemur Hapalemur aureus	2000	Madagascar	fewer than 5,916	Endangered	losing homes (slash-and-burn farming, cutting bamboo for local use) hunting (for food)
Sahamalaza sportive lemur Lepilemur sahamalazensis	2006	Madagascar	unknown	Data deficient	losing homes (farming, charcoal, logging for local use) hunting (for food)
Perrier's sifaka Propithecus perrieri	2000 2002 2004 2014 2016	Madagascar	around 915	Critically Endangered	losing homes (slash-and-burn farming, charcoal, fires for pasture, mining) hunting (for food)
Blue-eyed black lemur Eulemur flavifrons	2008 2010 2012	Madagascar	450–2,300	Critically Endangered	very small living area (~2,700 km2) losing homes (slash-and-burn farming, logging) hunting (for food) caught for pets
Northern sportive lemur Lepilemur septentrionalis	2008 2010 2012	Madagascar	around 19	Critically Endangered	very small living area habitat loss (firewood, charcoal, Eucalyptus farms) hunting (for food)
Silky sifaka Propithecus candidus	2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012	Madagascar	fewer than 250	Critically Endangered	very small living area hunting (for food) habitat loss (slash-and-burn farming, illegal logging, firewood)
Madame Berthe's mouse lemur Microcebus berthae	2012	Madagascar	fewer than 8,000	Critically Endangered	losing and breaking up homes (slash-and-burn farming, illegal logging)
Red ruffed lemur Varecia rubra	2012	Madagascar	unknown	Critically Endangered	losing homes (slash-and-burn farming, illegal logging, human activity) hunting (for food)
Lavasoa Mountains dwarf lemur Cheirogaleus lavasoensis	2014	Madagascar	?	Endangered
Gerp's mouse lemur Microcebus gerpi	2016	Madagascar	?	Critically Endangered
Ring-tailed lemur Lemur catta	2016	Madagascar	?	Endangered

Primates formerly listed in the Top 25 Most Endangered Primates: Africa

Species	Years listed	Location(s)	Estimated population	IUCN status	Threats
Mount Rungwe galago Galagoides sp.	2004	Tanzania	unknown	Not evaluated	losing homes (logging, farming, charcoal) hunting (for food)
Sclater's guenon Cercopithecus sclateri	2000	Nigeria	unknown	Vulnerable	losing and breaking up homes (logging, farming, oil exploration) many people live nearby hunting (for food)
Drill Mandrillus leucophaeus	2000	Cameroon Equatorial Guinea (Bioko) Nigeria	unknown	Endangered	small living area losing homes (forests cut down for factories and settlements) hunting (for food, seen as pests)
Tana River mangabey Cercocebus galeritus galeritus	2002	Kenya	1,000–1,200	Endangered	losing homes (palm oil farms, logging, farming, fires to stop forest growth, too much grazing, dams and irrigation) hunting (seen as pests)
Sanje mangabey Cercocebus sanjei	2000 2002 2004	Tanzania	fewer than 1,300	Endangered	losing homes (logging, charcoal) hunting (seen as pests)
Sooty mangabey Cercocebus atys lunulatus	2000 2002 2004	Côte d'Ivoire Ghana	unknown	Endangered	losing and damaging homes hunting (for food)
Miss Waldron's red colobus Piliocolobus badius waldronae	2000 2002 2006	Côte d'Ivoire Ghana	unknown	Critically Endangered	very small numbers (dropping fast) losing homes hunting (for food)
Mountain gorilla Gorilla beringei beringei	2000 2002 2004	Rwanda Uganda	around 880	Critically Endangered	two separate groups political problems human diseases hunting (for food)
Niger Delta red colobus Procolobus epieni	2008 2010	Nigeria	unknown	Critically Endangered	very small living area (~1,500 km2) hunting (for food) losing and damaging homes (logging, losing marsh forests due to canals)
Kipunji Rungwecebus kipunji	2006 2008	Tanzania	around 1,117	Critically Endangered	very small living area losing and breaking up homes hunting (for food)
Cross River gorilla Gorilla gorilla diehli	2000 2002 2004 2006 2008	Cameroon Nigeria	200–300	Critically Endangered	small, limited living area losing homes (farming, fires for pasture, roads) hunting (for food, traps for other animals)

Primates formerly listed in the Top 25 Most Endangered Primates: Asia

Species	Years listed	Location(s)	Estimated population	IUCN status	Threats
Horton Plains slender loris Loris tardigradus nycticeboides	2004 2006	Sri Lanka	unknown	Endangered	five separate groups losing homes hunting (for food)
Natuna Island surili Presbytis natunae	2002	Indonesia	fewer than 10,000	Vulnerable	two separate groups losing and damaging homes caught for pets
White-headed langur Trachypithecus poliocephalus leucocephalus	2002	China, Vietnam	fewer than 250	Critically Endangered	very small numbers (dropping fast) losing homes hunting
Miller's grizzled langur Presbytis hosei canicrus	2004	Indonesia (Kalimantan)	unknown	Endangered	losing and breaking up homes hunting
Black snub-nosed monkey Rhinopithecus bieti	2002	China	fewer than 2,000	Endangered	losing homes (logging, fires for farming, pasture) pesticide use hunting (accidental traps)
Gray snub-nosed monkey Rhinopithecus brelichi	2002	China	around 750	Endangered	one separate group (at risk from disease or disasters) losing homes (forest clearing, building for tourism, farming, firewood) hunting (accidental)
Silvery gibbon Hylobates moloch	2000	Indonesia (Java)	4,000–4,500	Endangered	losing and breaking up homes caught for pets
Hainan black crested gibbon Nomascus hainanus	2000 2004 2006	China (Hainan)	around 20	Critically Endangered	extremely small numbers living in not-so-good protected areas possibly more males than females being born hunting (for food)
Siau Island tarsier Tarsius tumpara	2006 2008 2010	Indonesia (Siau Island)	Low thousands at best	Not evaluated	island population (near an active volcano) very small living area many people live nearby hunting (for food, used as snack food) homes getting worse
Western hoolock gibbon Hoolock hoolock	2006 2008	Bangladesh India Myanmar	fewer than 5,000	Endangered	very small numbers (dropping fast) losing and breaking up homes (human activity, tea farms, slash-and-burn farming) hunting (for food, traditional medicine) caught for pets
Sumatran orangutan Pongo abelii	2000 2002 2004 2006 2008	Indonesia (Sumatra)	around 6,600	Critically Endangered	numbers dropping very fast only 10 broken up living areas losing and breaking up homes (fires, farms and palm oil farms, roads, logging, human activity) hunting (seen as pests, for food) [sometimes] caught for pets [sometimes]
Northwest Bornean orangutan Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus	2010	Indonesia (West Kalimantan, Borneo) Malaysia (Sarawak)	unknown	Endangered	losing and breaking up homes (fires, farms and palm oil farms, roads, logging, human activity) hunting (seen as pests, for food, traditional medicine) caught for pets
Lion-tailed macaque Macaca silenus	2010	India	fewer than 4,000	Endangered	losing and breaking up homes (farms and tea/coffee farms, logging) hunting (for food, traditional medicine)

Primates formerly listed in the Top 25 Most Endangered Primates: Neotropics

Species	Years listed	Location(s)	Estimated population	IUCN status	Threats
Golden lion tamarin Leontopithecus rosalia	2000	Brazil (Rio de Janeiro)	3,200	Endangered	losing and breaking up homes (fires to clear land for pasture) caught for pets
Black lion tamarin Leontopithecus chrysopygus	2000	Brazil (São Paulo)	around 1,000	Endangered	small numbers (11 separate groups, but only one is strong) losing and breaking up homes
Superagui lion tamarin Leontopithecus caissara	2000 2002 2004	Brazil (Paraná and São Paulo)	fewer than 400	Critically Endangered	small, separate groups losing and damaging homes (farming, palm heart harvesting, tourism) many people live nearby (poor people settling, land speculation) hunting (for food)
Golden-bellied capuchin Cebus xanthosternos	2000 2002 2004	Brazil (Bahia, Minas Gerais?)	unknown	Critically Endangered	losing homes hunting (for food)
Northern muriqui Brachyteles hypoxanthus	2000 2002 2004	Brazil (Bahia, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais)	fewer than 1,000	Critically Endangered	small, separate groups losing and breaking up homes hunting (for food [past], for sport [past])
Yellow-tailed woolly monkey Oreonax flavicauda	2000 2006 2008 2010	Peru	unknown	Critically Endangered	limited living area low numbers in groups losing homes (farming, logging, roads, new settlements) hunting (for food, fur) caught for pets
Cotton-top tamarin Saguinus oedipus	2008	Colombia	fewer than 6,000	Critically Endangered	losing and breaking up homes (large farms for cattle, logging, palm oil farms, dam projects) caught for pets (still happening), used for medical research (in the past)
Blond capuchin Cebus flavius	2010	Brazil	180	Critically Endangered	losing and breaking up homes (coastal building, sugar cane farms) caught for pets hunting (for food)

How the List Has Changed Over Time

The list is updated every two years after a big meeting of primate experts. For example, the 2002–2004 list came after a meeting in Beijing, China. This regular update helps keep the focus on the most urgent conservation needs.

In 2008, a total of 634 primate types were checked. Almost half of them (47.8%) were found to be threatened. This means they were vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. Out of all the critically endangered or endangered primates, 54 of them (26%) have been on "The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates" list at least once since 2000.

Images for kids

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  Propithecus candidus