The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates is a list of highly endangered primate species selected and published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC) Primate Specialist Group (PSG), the International Primatological Society (IPS), Global Wildlife Conservation (GWC), and Bristol Zoological Society (BZS). The IUCN/SSC PSG worked with Conservation International (CI) to start the list in 2000, but in 2002, during the 19th Congress of the International Primatological Society, primatologists reviewed and debated the list, resulting in the 2002–2004 revision and the endorsement of the IPS. The publication was a joint project between the three conservation organizations until the 2012–2014 list when BZS was added as a publisher. The 2018–2020 list was the first time Conservation International was not among the publishers, replaced instead by GWC. The list has been revised every two years following the biannual Congress of the IPS. Starting with the 2004–2006 report, the title changed to "Primates in Peril: The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates". That same year, the list began to provide information about each species, including their conservation status and the threats they face in the wild. The species text is written in collaboration with experts from the field, with 60 people contributing to the 2006–2008 report and 85 people contributing to the 2008–2010 report. The 2004–2006 and 2006–2008 reports were published in the IUCN/SSC PSG journal Primate Conservation,, since then they have been published as independent publications.
The 25 species on the 2018–2020 list are distributed between 32 countries. The country with the most species on the list is Madagascar with five species, Indonesia, Brazil, Ghana, and Côte d'Ivoire each have three. The list is broken into four distinct regions: the island of Madagascar, the continent of Africa, the continent of Asia including the islands of Indonesia, and the Neotropics (Central and South America).
The purpose of the list, according to Russell Mittermeier, the president of CI, is "to highlight those [primate species] that are most at risk, to attract the attention of the public, to stimulate national governments to do more, and especially to find the resources to implement desperately needed conservation measures." Species are selected for the list based on two primary reasons: extremely small population sizes and very rapid drops in numbers. These reasons are heavily influenced by habitat loss and hunting, the two greatest threats primates face. More specifically, threats listed in the report include deforestation due to slash-and-burn agriculture, clearing for pasture or farmland, charcoal production, firewood production, illegal logging, selective logging, mining, land development, and cash crop production; forest fragmentation; small population sizes; live capture for the exotic pet trade; and hunting for bushmeat and traditional medicine. Twelve species were dropped for the 2018–2020 list, Mittermeier notes this was not because their situation has improved but instead to focus attention on other species that are also have "bleak prospects for their survival.
Common and scientific name of the species, including a picture if available | |||
scope=row | Years listed | Years the species has been included in the IUCN's list of the "Top 25 Most Endangered Primates" | |
---|---|---|---|
scope=row | Location(s) | Countries in which it is found | |
scope=row | Estimated population | Latest population estimate from the IUCN | |
scope=row | IUCN status | Conservation status of the species, per the IUCN as of the date of the latest list publication | |
scope=row | Threats | A list of threats facing the species; used by the IUCN in assessing conservation status |
scope=col width="250" | Species | scope=col | Years listed | scope=col | Location(s) | scope=col | Estimated population | scope=col | IUCN status | scope=col width="250" | Threats |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bemanasy mouse lemur Microcebus manitatra | 2018 | Madagascar | unknown |
| |||||||
Lac Alaotra bamboo lemur Hapalemur alaotrensis | 2000 2014 2016 2018 | Madagascar | 2,500 (2018 estimate) |
| |||||||
James' sportive lemur Lepilemur jamesorum | 2016 2018 | Madagascar | 1,386 (2010 estimate) |
| |||||||
Indri Indri indri | 2012 2018 | Madagascar | unknown |
| |||||||
Aye-aye Daubentonia madagascariensis | 2016 2018 | Madagascar | unknown |
|
Years listed | scope=col | Location(s) | scope=col | Estimated population | scope=col | IUCN status | scope=col width="250" | Threats |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rondo dwarf galago Galagoides rondoensis | 2006 2008 2010 2012 | Tanzania | unknown |
| ||||
Roloway monkey Cercopithecus roloway | 2002 2006 2008 2010 2012 | Côte d'Ivoire Ghana | unknown |
| ||||
Tana River red colobus Procolobus rufomitratus | 2002 2004 2006 2008 2012 | Kenya | 1,100–1,300 |
| ||||
Bioko red colobus Piliocolobus pennantii pennantii | 2004 2006 2010 2012 | Equatorial Guinea (Bioko Island) | fewer than 5,000 |
| ||||
Eastern lowland gorilla Gorilla beringei graueri | 2010 2012 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 5,000 |
|
Years listed | scope=col | Location(s) | scope=col | Estimated population | scope=col | IUCN status | scope=col width="250" | Threats |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Javan slow loris Nycticebus javanicus | 2008 2010 2012 | Indonesia (Java) | unknown |
| ||||
Pig-tailed langur Simias concolor | 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 | Indonesia (Mentawai Islands) | 700–3,347 |
| ||||
Delacour's langur Trachypithecus delacouri | 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 | Vietnam | fewer than 250 |
| ||||
Golden-headed langur Trachypithecus poliocephalus | 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 | Vietnam | 60–70 |
| ||||
Western purple-faced langur Semnopithecus vetulus nestor | 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 | Sri Lanka | unknown |
| ||||
Grey-shanked douc Pygathrix cinerea | 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 | Vietnam | 600–700 |
| ||||
Tonkin snub-nosed monkey Rhinopithecus avunculus | 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 | Vietnam | 200–250 |
| ||||
Eastern black crested gibbon Nomascus nasutus | 2008 2010 2012 | China Vietnam | around 110 |
| ||||
Pygmy tarsier Tarsius pumilus | 2012 | Indonesia (Sulawesi) | unknown |
|
Years listed | scope=col | Location(s) | scope=col | Estimated population | scope=col | IUCN status | scope=col width="250" | Threats |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brown spider monkey Ateles hybridus | 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 | Colombia Venezuela | unknown |
| ||||
Brown-headed spider monkey Ateles fusciceps fusciceps | 2006 2012 | Ecuador | unknown |
| ||||
Kaapori capuchin Cebus kaapori | 2012 | Brazil | unknown |
| ||||
Rio Mayo titi Callicebus oenanthe | 2012 | Peru | unknown |
| ||||
Northern brown howler Alouatta guariba guariba | 2012 | Brazil | fewer than 250 |
|
With each new publication, species are both added and removed from the list. In some cases, removal from the list signifies improvement for the species. With the publication of the 2006–2008 list, four species were removed because of increased conservation efforts: the black lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysopygus), golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia), mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei), and Perrier's sifaka (Propithecus perrieri). In 2008, the black lion tamarin went from critically endangered to endangered and the golden lion tamarin was similarly promoted in 2003 after three decades of collaborative conservation efforts by zoos and other institutions. Well-protected species such as these still have very small populations, and due to deforestation, new habitat is still needed for their long-term survival. The Hainan black crested gibbon (Nomascus hainanus), which was removed from the 2008–2010 list, still has fewer than 20 individuals left, but significant efforts to protect it are now being made. Mittermeier claimed in 2007 that all 25 species could be elevated off the list within five to ten years if conservation organizations had the necessary resources.
Unlike the changes in the 2006–2008 report, not all species were removed from the 2008–2010 list due to improvement in their situation. Instead, new species were added to bring attention to other closely related species with very small populations that are also at risk of extinction. For example, the highly endangered eastern black crested gibbon (Nomascus nasutus) replaced the Hainan black crested gibbon. The Javan slow loris (Nycticebus javanicus) replaced the Horton Plains slender loris (Loris tardigradus nycticeboides) because the former has been hit the hardest of Asian lorises, all of which are declining rapidly due primarily to capture for the exotic pet trade, as well as use in traditional medicines and forest loss. In another case, the brown-headed spider monkey (Ateles fusciceps fusciceps) was omitted from the list since no spokesperson could be found for the species. The same approach was taken with the 2012–2014 list.
scope=col width="250" | Species | scope=col | Years listed | scope=col | Location(s) | scope=col | Estimated population | scope=col | IUCN status | scope=col width="250" | Threats |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Greater bamboo lemur Prolemur simus | 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 | Madagascar | 500 or fewer |
| |||||||
Black-and-white ruffed lemur Varecia variegata | 2010 | Madagascar | unknown |
| |||||||
Gray-headed lemur Eulemur cinereiceps | 2004 2006 2008 | Madagascar | 7,265 ± 2,268 |
| |||||||
Golden-crowned sifaka Propithecus tattersalli | 2000 | Madagascar | 6,000–10,000 |
| |||||||
Golden bamboo lemur Hapalemur aureus | 2000 | Madagascar | fewer than 5,916 |
| |||||||
Sahamalaza sportive lemur Lepilemur sahamalazensis | 2006 | Madagascar | unknown |
| |||||||
Perrier's sifaka Propithecus perrieri | 2000 2002 2004 2014 2016 | Madagascar | around 915 |
| |||||||
Blue-eyed black lemur Eulemur flavifrons | 2008 2010 2012 | Madagascar | 450–2,300 |
| |||||||
Northern sportive lemur Lepilemur septentrionalis | 2008 2010 2012 | Madagascar | around 19 |
| |||||||
Silky sifaka Propithecus candidus | 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 | Madagascar | fewer than 250 |
| |||||||
Madame Berthe's mouse lemur Microcebus berthae | 2012 | Madagascar | fewer than 8,000 |
| |||||||
Red ruffed lemur Varecia rubra | 2012 | Madagascar | unknown |
| |||||||
Lavasoa Mountains dwarf lemur Cheirogaleus lavasoensis | 2014 | Madagascar | ? | ||||||||
Gerp's mouse lemur Microcebus gerpi | 2016 | Madagascar | ? | ||||||||
Ring-tailed lemur Lemur catta | 2016 | Madagascar | ? |
scope=col width="250" | Species | scope=col | Years listed | scope=col | Location(s) | scope=col | Estimated population | scope=col | IUCN status | scope=col width="250" | Threats |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mount Rungwe galago Galagoides sp. | 2004 | Tanzania | unknown | Not evaluated |
| ||||||
Sclater's guenon Cercopithecus sclateri | 2000 | Nigeria | unknown |
| |||||||
Drill Mandrillus leucophaeus | 2000 | Cameroon Equatorial Guinea (Bioko) Nigeria | unknown |
| |||||||
Tana River mangabey Cercocebus galeritus galeritus | 2002 | Kenya | 1,000–1,200 |
| |||||||
Sanje mangabey Cercocebus sanjei | 2000 2002 2004 | Tanzania | fewer than 1,300 |
| |||||||
Sooty mangabey Cercocebus atys lunulatus | 2000 2002 2004 | Côte d'Ivoire Ghana | unknown |
| |||||||
Miss Waldron's red colobus Piliocolobus badius waldronae | 2000 2002 2006 | Côte d'Ivoire Ghana | unknown |
| |||||||
Mountain gorilla Gorilla beringei beringei | 2000 2002 2004 | Rwanda Uganda | around 880 |
| |||||||
Niger Delta red colobus Procolobus epieni | 2008 2010 | Nigeria | unknown |
| |||||||
Kipunji Rungwecebus kipunji | 2006 2008 | Tanzania | around 1,117 |
| |||||||
Cross River gorilla Gorilla gorilla diehli | 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 | Cameroon Nigeria | 200–300 |
|
scope=col width="250" | Species | scope=col | Years listed | scope=col | Location(s) | scope=col | Estimated population | scope=col | IUCN status | scope=col width="250" | Threats |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Horton Plains slender loris Loris tardigradus nycticeboides | 2004 2006 | Sri Lanka | unknown |
| |||||||
Natuna Island surili Presbytis natunae | 2002 | Indonesia | fewer than 10,000 |
| |||||||
White-headed langur Trachypithecus poliocephalus leucocephalus | 2002 | China, Vietnam | fewer than 250 |
| |||||||
Miller's grizzled langur Presbytis hosei canicrus | 2004 | Indonesia (Kalimantan) | unknown |
| |||||||
Black snub-nosed monkey Rhinopithecus bieti | 2002 | China | fewer than 2,000 |
| |||||||
Gray snub-nosed monkey Rhinopithecus brelichi | 2002 | China | around 750 |
| |||||||
Silvery gibbon Hylobates moloch | 2000 | Indonesia (Java) | 4,000–4,500 |
| |||||||
Hainan black crested gibbon Nomascus hainanus | 2000 2004 2006 | China (Hainan) | around 20 |
| |||||||
Siau Island tarsier Tarsius tumpara | 2006 2008 2010 | Indonesia (Siau Island) | Low thousands at best | Not evaluated |
| ||||||
Western hoolock gibbon Hoolock hoolock | 2006 2008 | Bangladesh India Myanmar | fewer than 5,000 |
| |||||||
Sumatran orangutan Pongo abelii | 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 | Indonesia (Sumatra) | around 6,600 |
| |||||||
Northwest Bornean orangutan Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus | 2010 | Indonesia (West Kalimantan, Borneo) Malaysia (Sarawak) | unknown |
| |||||||
Lion-tailed macaque Macaca silenus | 2010 | India | fewer than 4,000 |
|
scope=col width="250" | Species | scope=col | Years listed | scope=col | Location(s) | scope=col | Estimated population | scope=col | IUCN status | scope=col width="250" | Threats |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Golden lion tamarin Leontopithecus rosalia | 2000 | Brazil (Rio de Janeiro) | 3,200 |
| |||||||
Black lion tamarin Leontopithecus chrysopygus | 2000 | Brazil (São Paulo) | around 1,000 |
| |||||||
Superagui lion tamarin Leontopithecus caissara | 2000 2002 2004 | Brazil (Paraná and São Paulo) | fewer than 400 |
| |||||||
Golden-bellied capuchin Cebus xanthosternos | 2000 2002 2004 | Brazil (Bahia, Minas Gerais?) | unknown |
| |||||||
Northern muriqui Brachyteles hypoxanthus | 2000 2002 2004 | Brazil (Bahia, Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais) | fewer than 1,000 |
| |||||||
Yellow-tailed woolly monkey Oreonax flavicauda | 2000 2006 2008 2010 | Peru | unknown |
| |||||||
Cotton-top tamarin Saguinus oedipus | 2008 | Colombia | fewer than 6,000 |
| |||||||
Blond capuchin Cebus flavius | 2010 | Brazil | 180 |
|
With the exception of the 2000–2002 publication, which was written collaboratively by the IUCN/SSC PSG and CI, the list has been revised every two years following the biannual Congress of the IPS. The 2002–2004 list resulted from the 19th Congress of the IPS in Beijing, China; the 2004–2006 list followed the 20th Congress of the IPS, held in Torino, Italy; the 2006–2008 list after the 21st Congress in Entebbe, Uganda; the 2008–2010 list followed the 22nd Congress held in Edinburgh, UK; the 2010-2012 list followed the 23rd Congress in Kyoto, Japan; the 2012–2014 list after the 24th Congress in Cancún, Mexico; the 2014–2016 list after the 25th Congress in Hanoi, Vietnam; the 2016–2018 list after the 26th Congress in Chicago, US; the 2018–2020 list after the 27th Congress in Nairobi, Kenya; and the 2022–2023 list after the 28th Congress in Quito, Ecuador.
The 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species offered assessments of 634 primate taxa, of which 303 (47.8%) were listed as threatened (vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered). A total of 206 primate species were ranked as either critically endangered or endangered, 54 (26%) of which have been included at least once in The World's 25 Most Endangered Primates since 2000.
scope=col | Madagascar | scope=col | Africa | scope=col | Asia | scope=col | Neotropics | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
scope=row | 2000–2002 |
|
|
|
| |||
scope=row | 2002–2004 |
|
|
|
| |||
2004–2006 |
|
| --(Mt. Rungwe Galago: undescribed and not evaluated)--> |
|
| |||
scope=row | 2006–2008 |
|
|
|
| |||
scope=row | 2008–2010 |
|
|
|
| |||
scope=row | 2010–2012 |
|
|
|
| |||
scope=row | 2012–2014 |
|
|
|
| |||
scope=row | 2014–2016 |
|
|
|
| |||
scope=row | 2016–2018 |
|
|
|
| |||
scope=row | 2018–2020 |
|
|
|
| |||
scope=row | 2022–2023 |
|
|
|
|