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