Updated 07 October 2002, 17.39

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Primates are one of our closest animal relatives and almost half of them live in south east Asia.

But if something's not done to save them, many species could soon disappear.

The situation is especially bad for those living in Vietnam and China.

			Fact File
	Top 10 endangered primates
		1: Greater bamboo lemur (Madagascar)
		2: Perrier's sifaka (Madagascar)
		3: Silky sifaka (Madagascar)
		4: Black-faced lion tamarin (Brazil)
		5: Buff-headed capuchin (Brazil)
		6: Northern muriqui (Brazil)
		7: Miss Waldron's red colobus (Ghana and Ivory Coast)
		8: Roloway guenon (Ghana and Ivory Coast)
		9: Tana River mangabey and Tana River red colobus (Kenya)
		10: Sanje mangabey (Tanzania)

They are disappearing in these areas because their habitats are being destroyed by tropical forest clearing.

The good news is fewer are being caught for the pet trade and medical research.

The number of monkey species - or primates - in danger of dying out has gone up hugely in the last three years.

Helping plants grow

In 2000, 120 different primate types were thought to be in danger. That's risen to 1995 in just two years.

Primates are vital for the environment because they help keep important plants growing.

When they eat fruits and other plant food, the seeds are spread around the forests when they go to the toilet.

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More Info

Cheeky monkey pix

Endangered animals guide

Talk about animals

Monkey business quiz

Past Stories
	Rare Gibbons caught singing in Vietnam
	Orang-utan dies of broken heart
	RSPCA demand ban on monkey transports
	Aid for apes threatened with extinction

Web Links
	Primate Centre
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