Large population of endangered monkeys discovered in Cambodia
Washington, Aug 29 : Researchers from Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) have
discovered an unexpectedly large population of two endangered species of monkeys in
Cambodia.
According to a report released by WCS, there are 42,000 black-shanked douc langurs
along with 2,500 yellow-cheeked crested gibbons in Cambodia's Seima Biodiversity
Conservation Area, which represents the largest known populations for both species in the
world.
The scientists announced the discovery of 125,000 western lowland gorillas in northern
Republic of Congo, where conservation work has been ongoing since the early 1990s.
Before the discovery in the Seima Biodiversity Conservation Area, the largest known
populations were believed to be in adjacent Vietnam, where black-shanked douc langurs and
yellow-cheeked crested gibbons hover at 600 and 200 respectively.
"Whether it's protecting gorillas in the Republic of Congo or monkeys and gibbons in
Cambodia, conservation can and does work when you have government commitment and
scientific knowledge on the ground ," said Dr. John G. Robinson, Executive Vice President
for Conservation and Science for the Wildlife Conservation Society.
"Now we must put into place the management to truly protect these populations and apply
the approach to other regions where primates are in trouble," he added.
Despite the discovery, WCS researchers are concerned that looming threats could
jeopardize recent successes, as area still remains at risk from conversion to
agro-industrial plantations for crops
"Despite this good news in Cambodia, the area still remains at risk from conversion to
agro-industrial plantations for crops, including biofuels, and commercial mining," said
Tom Clements, the lead author of the WCS report.
The results were presented at the International Primatological Society Congress in
Edinburgh, Scotland.
--ANI
