Primate subspecies in West Africa which extinct
Researchers suppose that primate subspecies known as Miss Waldron’s red colobus may already be extinct.
The most important threats to primate populations worldwide
Two of the threats that are recognized as most important are disease and climate change. These factors’ impacts were not considered significant decades ago, but now researchers admit that these are the real threats to primates. For example, the sudden appearance and devastating effects of various diseases like HIV, swine flu, and Ebola undermine both public health and primate conservation. As for climate change, it is predicted that it can warm by 6°C this century, while a 7°C rise in temperature could cut the gelada baboons’ population fifty times.
Other factors that threaten primate populations
Apart from disease and climate change, there are also three severe but less significant factors that still have rather negative effects on primate populations. They are habitat loss, deforestation, and bushmeat hunting.
Inter-related of these different factors that threaten primates. The underlying major issue that threatens primates and other wildlife
The five different factors that threaten primate populations are inter-related in several ways. First of all, habitat loss includes deforestation since most primate subspecies live in forests. Further, precisely deforestation results in about 18% of global carbon emissions, which are one of the main causes of climate change. The latter, in turn, is expected to lead to disease outbreaks and also impact the way viruses affect primates. Transportation of bushmeat makes conservation agencies and governments create special strategies for road systems to minimize the negative influence on forest wildlife. Considering the facts mentioned above, it is possible to suggest that humans and their actions are the major underlying issue that threatens primates and other wildlife.
Which part of the world was experiencing forest loss at the highest rate and which part of the world was gaining conservation areas at the highest rate?
During these periods, Africa was experiencing forest loss at the highest rate, while Latin America was gaining conservation areas at the highest rate.
A disease that can be transmitted from non-human primates to humans or from humans to non-human primates
It is possible that non-human primates and humans can transmit to each other AIDS and HIV.
Organizations that help to protect primates and their role
There are many organizations that aim at protecting primates. For example, two such companies are International Primate Protection League (IPPL) and Neotropical Primate Conservation (NPC). The former aims at helping overseas primate rescue groups, investigating primate trafficking, and maintaining a sanctuary for rescued gibbon apes. The latter’s role is to promote the conservation of primates and their habitats in Central and South America by supporting local initiatives and protecting wilderness areas.
How many mountain gorillas currently remain in the world?
There are currently eight hundred and eighty mountain gorillas in the world.
What is a flagship species?
A flagship species is a species that acts as an icon, ambassador, or symbol for a certain problem, habitat, or environmental cause.
The situation in Congo for 14 years that negatively impacted the country, its people, and its animals
A fourteen-year Civil War left the country in ruins and caused the death of millions of people and animals.
The threats to Virunga National Park and the reasons that gorillas are killed there
The first threat that the rangers and gorillas face is poachers who kill the animals. Further, there was also political instability and a weakened army in Congo. These circumstances have led to the rise of a heavily armed rebel group M23, which was interested in natural resources and threatened the park. Then, SOCO International company decided to exploit oil in the national part to gain profit. The armed forces kill the gorillas to conquer the territory of the park.
What happened in July 2007? Why?
In July 2007, poachers entered the park and murdered nine gorillas. They thought that once the gorillas were killed, there would be no reason to continue taking care of the park.
Why were the rangers wearing masks?
The rangers were wearing masks to protect the respiratory tract because recently, there were hostilities in the park, and it became dusty due to the shooting.
The park ranger, Andre Bauma, says near “Gorillas justify why I am here”. What he meant by this?
He probably meant that taking care of gorillas is the meaning of his life.
The role of the park rangers in Virunga who are referred to as the “true heroes of Congo”
People should admire those who dedicate their lives to protecting wildlife. It is necessary to honor the memory of the park rangers who died during their shifts. This is probably the responsibility of all humans since they are the reason animals and nature, in general, are in bad conditions.
Are documentaries such as Virunga effective tools for increasing our affinity for wildlife and ensuring their conservation?
When I watched the documentary, I felt a desire to seek more information on the topic and also try to take part in helping animals. Therefore, in my opinion, such films are very effective, as they show the cause and effect of people’s actions.