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Kathleen Dallmann

Ms. Schaeffer

Anthropology 2281

22 January 2017

Book Assignment #1

Every couple years, the list of endangered species changes. There are

animals both taken off and added to the list. From the 2014-2016 list to the 2012-

2014 list, they had dropped eight species and added four; in most cases the ones

dropped were not dropped because their situation has gotten better, but because it

had worsened and they want to turn the focus over to other animals who are also in

dire need of conservation efforts. les Radama National Park tightened up their

reigns in 2004 in the area of research, protection and monitoring; they incorporated

a program that is more adequate than their previous efforts. Sclaters black lemur

is one species that actually benefited from the protection program and bettered

their situation since being previously placed on the list in 2008 (Schwitzer et al. 12).

As human beings it is our responsibility to protect and preserve the habitats, stop

supporting industries that use the animal as bi-products, and pass stricter laws in

illegal wildlife trade of primates to ensure their future survival.

Rondodwarfgalago
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If you happen to be close to the tropical beach towns of Mtwara or Lindi in

Southwest Tanzania or approximately 250 miles north of the Refiji River, you just

may be lucky enough to spot one of these cute little dwarf galagos leaping around

on branches, eating fruits and insects or building sleeping nests during the daylight.

Weighing the least of the galagos species, this little guy is around 60 grams. They

have big owl like eyes, large bat like ears, hands and feet that can grasp onto

branches, a cute little curly, fluffy tail and their color may differ from a reddish

brown to more of a ginger brown.

Nocturnal predators such as owls and snakes are a threat to dwarf galagos;

however, the biggest reason that they are endangered is because of the lack of

forest areas in which they reside. Charcoal manufacturers and loggers threaten

these forests. It is upsetting and frustrating to know that both individuals and

companies are knowingly destroying the rain forests, we all need to do our part in

keeping their habitat safe. I could go with using less paper and laminate flooring

versus wood flooring, for example. If everyone did their part we could help save the

forests and many of these endangered species. The major threat facing this

species is loss of habitat. All sites are subject to some level of agricultural

encroachment, charcoal manufacture and/or logging. All sites, except Pande (Game

Reserve), Zaraninge (within Saadani National Park) and Rondo (Nature Reserve), are

national or local authority forest reserves and as such nominally, but in practice

minimally, protected. The major threat facing this species is loss of habitat. All sites

are subject to some level of agricultural encroachment, charcoal manufacture

and/or logging. All sites, except Pande (Game Reserve), Zaraninge (within Saadani

National Park) and Rondo (Nature Reserve), are national or local authority forest
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reserves and as such nominally, but in practice minimally, protected. Since 2008,

there have been changes resulting in the increase in protection of two forests

(Schwitzer et al. 12).

Javan slow loris

Once you step into the continent of Asia or the thick bamboo woods of the

Indonesian island of Java, you may find a Javan slow loris, yet another endangered

species. This species is very slow moving, has stripes on the face like a raccoon,

and brown, red and black fur. One of the reasons they are near extinction is a

dwindling habitat, but an even bigger reason is the high popularity for using these

animals as pets and making parts of their bodies into fashion items. When danger

arises, they cling to trees because they generally cannot out run their predators.

When traders catch them, they will pull out their teeth because they are venomous.

After having their teeth removed, many of them die from an abscess or infection in

their mouth. Even if they outlive the infection they will no longer be able to live in

the wild and will eventually die from being unable to eat.

To conserve these animals the first step we need to take is to stop using them

as pets, fashion accessories, and discontinue disrupting their environments. Even I,

in the past , have been guilty of posting pictures of animals that are typically living

in the wild on social media, talking about how I would love them as a pet. After
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being educated on the subject, I would like to do the exact opposite and spread

awareness on all the harm we are doing to all of these animals and what we can do

to change it. Taking these animals into captivity and not letting them breed in the

wild is making them become closer to extinction. If we did not touch these animals

and left their natural habitat alone, as well, they would have a much higher chance

of survival. Knowledge is power and a more educated mind will be more likely to

make conscience decisions in helping to preserve our wildlife friends.

AdultmaleRolowaymonkeyCercopithecusdianassp.roloway,
performingagenitaldisplay

The cute monkey picture above is a nearly extinct species called the roloway

monkey, found anywhere from Ghana to Cote dIvoire, you may see them climbing

around the upper-canopy of primeval trees. Do not bother them because they

prefer an undisturbed habitat. They have a white chest, lengthy white beard, black

face and yellow around their butt and thighs. Typically the females will stay with

the group they were born with and the male will take off on their own, making it

difficult for them to breed.

Damage to the roloway monkeys habitat such as logging and illegal hunting
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has caused roloways to go nearly extinct. Organizations such as SODEFOR, CEPA

and WECPA have helped to fight against logging companies that are clearing the

reserves by illegally farming and hunting. By getting involved with activist groups

that help stop and educate others, we may have a chance at this endangered

animals survival. Supporting these logging companies gives these companies

incentive to continually destroy and deplete these incredible animals homes. Every

person can take action by not buying wood from these companies and using other

alternatives. Also, by taking action in activist groups that will help fight against

people who are destroying the environment. Onedel Bi and colleagues, in

cooperation with SODEFOR (Socit de Dveloppement des Forts) and local

communities, have organized regular foot surveys aimed at removing illegal farmers

and hunters from both reserves; however, the most recent surveys (August 2015)

revealed that a logging company (SIDB) has begun clearing a portion of the Port

Gauthier reserve. Efforts are underway to work with SODEFOR at stopping logging

and other illegal activities in these reserves (Gonedel Bi 2015). Kon and involving

several organizations (CEPA, WAPCA) helped stop a large palm oil company from

causing further habitat degradation, and a community-based conservation effort

has helped slow poaching in this forest (Kon 2015). Unfortunately, hunting still

occurs in Tano and the primate populations within it are undoubtedly decreasing

(Gonedel Bi et al. 2013) (Schitzer, 2015, pg. 15).

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Variegatedspidermonkey

Brown spider monkeys are only left in Venezuela and Columbia; you can find

them anywhere from Magdelina River Valley to Western Venezuela and Northeast

Columbia. Humans destroying these monkeys habitats, hunting, using these

animals for trade, the fact that they have a very slow reproductive cycle, and only

giving birth to a single child every 3 to 4 years, has led these animals to be put on

the critically endangered species list. Physical traits of these animals are: long

lengthy arms, no thumbs, gripping tails, strong gripping hands and light, varying

colors. These highly social animals wander around in groups of usually 40 to 50,

then throughout the day, merge into smaller groups. Each group is territorial of its

own area, in which members will patrol on a daily basis.

A big problem for Spider Monkeys is that only an extremely small portion of

their habitat is protected, so not many people get prosecuted for hunting them or

cutting down their habitat. In the Columbia area in which these furry friends reside,

less than one percent of the area is protected. Cattle ranches and oil palm

plantations are popping up in their habitat and taking their land. Personally, I find it

infuriating that people disregaurd other species well being by hunting and
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destroying their habitats. Every animal should be respected and treated with as

much importance as humans, after all, humans do not own planet Earth. There are

certain ways we can fight against the monkeys extinction from happening, not

buying meat and other products made from these animal is one. Starting an activist

group or joining one would be a good way to get your voice heard and make change

happen. I personally plan on joining one and spreading awareness to do my part in

change. If you want to save the enviroment and the endangered animals from

extinction, spreading awareness is a good start.

Spider monkeys are especially vulnerable to hunting and are one of the first

vertebrates to go locally extinct under anthropogenic pressures to their habitat or

populations. Historically, A. hybridus has suffered from habitat destruction and

fragmentation and is absent from heavily intervened areas (Link et al. 2008). In

Colombia, less than 18% of its historical distribution remains in forested habitats

and <1% of its current habitats are protected (Schwitzer et al. 74).

After closer examination of the causes of extinction we can conclude that the

main causes are human activities. Considering that human beings are the root

cause of all primate animal extinction; however, we are the solution. We need to

stop deforestation and the use of the primates for testing, pets and fashion items.

Stricter laws need to be passed to ensure the preservation of all of the primates and

their habitats. It is our responsibility to protect and preserve the habitats, stop

supporting industries that use the animal as bi-products, and pass stricter laws in

illegal wildlife trade of primates to ensure their future survival.

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Works Cited

Schwitzer, C., Mittermeier, R.A., Rylands, A.B., Chiozza, F., Williamson, E.A., Wallis, J.
and Cotton, A. (eds.). 2015. Primates in Peril: The Worlds 25 Most
Endangered Primates 20142016. IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group (PSG),
International Primatological Society (IPS), Conservation International (CI), and
Bristol Zoological Society, Arlington, VA. iv+93pp.

Karlsson, Johan. Rondo dwarf galago. Wildscreen Arkive, arkive.org/rondo-dwarf-

galago/galagoides-rondoensis/.

Advan, Zulham. Javan slow loris. Wildscreen Arkive, arkive.org/javan-slow-

loris/nycticebus-javanicus/.

Bowler, Mark. Variegated spider monkey. Wildscreen Arkive, NHPA/Photoshot

Holdings Ltd, arkive.org/variegated-spider-monkey/ateles-hybridus/.

Curtin, Sheila. Adult male Roloway monkey Cercopithecus diana ssp. roloway,
performing a genital display. Wildscreen Arkive, arkive.org/diana-
guenon/cercopithecus-diana/image-G110112.html.