Over half of world's wild primate species face extinction, report reveals
by Ian Sample Science editor from on (#29C11)
Researchers warn of approaching 'major extinction event' if action is not taken to protect around 300 species, including gorillas, chimps, lemurs and lorises
More than half of the world's apes, monkeys, lemurs and lorises are now threatened with extinction as agriculture and industrial activities destroy forest habitats and the animals' populations are hit by hunting and trade.
In the most bleak assessment of primates to date, conservationists found that 60% of the wild species are on course to die out, with three quarters already in steady decline. The report casts doubt on the future of about 300 primate species, including gorillas, chimps, gibbons, marmosets, tarsiers, lemurs and lorises.