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First international Colobine Monkey Day

25. August 2024
The red shank douc langur is amongst the most colorful primates in the world. This endangered species is also as known as the queen of monkeys which is endemic to Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Photo: Nguyen Van Truong Foto: Nguyen Van Truong
Der Pageh-Stumpfnasenaffe (Simias concolor) aus Indonesien ist einer der am wenigsten erforschten Primaten der Welt.  Foto: Pauli Hien
The Pig-tailed Snub-nosed Monkey (Simias concolor) from Indonesia is one of the least studied primates of the world. Photo: Pauli Hien
Der Tonkin Stumpfnasenaffe (Rhinopithecus avunculus), eine der 25 am meisten gefährdeten Primaten der Welt, ist eine endemische Primatenart Vietnams. Die Population wird in freier Wildbahn auf weniger als 200 Individuen geschätzt. Foto: Nguyen Van Truong
The Tonkin snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus avunculus), listed among the World’s 25 most endangered primates, is a primate species endemic to Vietnam. The population is estimated at less than 200 individuals in the wild. Photo: Nguyen Van Truong
Prof. Dr. Christian Roos, Wissenschaftler am Deutschen Primatenzentrum.
Prof. Dr. Christian Roos, scientist at the German Primate Center

What day?...
Colobine monkeys are medium-sized monkeys that live in the treetops in Africa and Asia.

And what do they do?
The special thing about Colobine monkeys is that they have a multi-chambered stomach colonized by cellulose-degrading bacteria, which they can use to digest leaves and seeds. This is why they are also called “leaf monkeys”.

And why the fuss?
Many of the 83 known species of Colobine monkeys are threatened with extinction, for example the Tonkin snub-nosed monkey and the Delacour's langur.

And why do you want to save them? Aren't there much more spectacular species that are threatened with extinction? Rhinos, gorillas, elephants, lions and the like?
Christian Roos, scientist at the German Primate Center: “Many of the endangered Colobine monkey species have remaining populations of only a few hundred animals; in the case of the Cat Ba Langur, there are even fewer than 100 animals. Other endangered species usually have several thousand animals left. Accordingly, without strict conservation measures, some Colobine monkey species will have disappeared in just a few years. And that would be a great loss in many respects. Colobine monkeys are usually very brightly colored and some species are considered sacred in their cultures. The animals have adapted very well to their habitats. For example, some species can absorb high concentrations of calcium through their food, an important prerequisite for survival in barren limestone areas. Other species can even drink salt water.”