More Than 60% Primate Species Are Vulnerable To Extinction: Primatologists Warn

An international study, involving the effort of a team of 31 Primatologists has been published on 18th January 2017, revealing the preservation status of more than 500 individual creatures. However, the most concerning the topic, disclosed by the report are the endangered status of Primate, across the globe. According to the fresh survey, the conservation status of man’s closest biological relatives is endangered and close to extinction.

As mentioned in the study, around three-quarters of the living primate species are vulnerable to complete extermination. About 60% of the total Primate species are now susceptible to extinction, and hence needed special attention suggested the study. The conservation status of the Primate species, starting from massive gorillas to monkey and gibbons, are in considerably in worse condition in contrast to the last recent decades. Due to the hunting, mining, and devastation from farming, the number of living species of Primate are dropping down and now they are in extremely vulnerable condition, warns the lead researcher of the report.

According to the study, published Wednesday in the journal Science Advances, a total of 504 known species of primates have been recorded yet, 60% of which are close to extinction. It means third-quarter of the entire primate species are now tend to decline, due to manmade changes in earth’s ecosystem. Moreover, the changing volume of the population is also driving this tendency and the closest genetic comparatives of human are walking towards complete destruction at a faster pace.

“Unbalanced human activities are the major force behind the race of primate species towards destruction”, cautioned the new study. According to Professor Jo Setchell from Durham University, an associate of the 31 Primatologists team, “The primary threats to the destruction of these species are unbalanced and huge territory loss and unlawful hunting. Due to the rise of population, the habitable regions of primates are shrinking, which in other ways is leading the unique creatures headed for death.”

In addition to the primate species, the report also revealed that, 75% of entire species population that are on the way out, because of illegal hunting and massive habitat loss. Forests are being destroyed and converted into industrial or residential zones, which is affecting the lifestyle of creatures. Moreover, people are harassing the primate creatures for skin, mass, organs, and illegal trading. All these reasons are contributing to the declining rate of animals on earth, suggested the new study.