Why in NEWS
A recent report titled “Primates in Peril” highlights the increasing extinction risks faced by 25 critically endangered primate species across the world. Although no Indian species made it to the final list, two Indian primates were closely evaluated.
Key Terms and Concepts
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Primates in Peril | A global conservation report highlighting the world’s most threatened primates |
| Critically Endangered | IUCN Red List status indicating extremely high risk of extinction in the wild |
| Schedule I of WPA, 1972 | Offers the highest level of legal protection to Indian wildlife species |
| Arboreal | Animals that primarily live in trees |
| Diurnal | Active during the daytime |
| Folivorous | Primarily leaf-eating diet |
News Simplified
- Global Concern: The report identified 25 primate species at extreme risk:
- 6 from Africa
- 4 from Madagascar
- 9 from Asia
- 6 from South America (Neotropics)
- Highlighted Species:
- Cross River Gorilla: Found in Cameroon and Nigeria; Critically Endangered; scattered in 11 groups.
- Tapanuli Orangutan: World’s rarest great ape (<800 individuals); Critically Endangered.
- Indian Species Considered but Excluded:
- Phayre’s Langur
- Western Hoolock Gibbon
Indian Primate Species: Profiles and Conservation Status
1. Phayre’s Langur (Trachypithecus phayrei)
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Spectacled eyes; slender body; grey-brown fur |
| Habitat | Evergreen/semi-evergreen and bamboo-rich forests in NE India and Bangladesh |
| Distribution | Assam, Mizoram, Tripura |
| Behaviour | Arboreal, diurnal, folivorous |
| Legal Status | Schedule I of WPA, 1972; Endangered (IUCN) |
| Protected Areas | Sipahijala, Trishna, Gumti Wildlife Sanctuaries (Tripura) |
2. Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock)
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Males: black with white brow; Females: beige-grey |
| Unique Trait | India’s only ape; performs loud duet calls |
| Distribution | NE India, Bangladesh, Myanmar |
| Behaviour | Arboreal; omnivorous; monogamous social groups |
| Legal Status | Schedule I of WPA, 1972; Endangered (IUCN) |
| Sanctuary | Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, Jorhat, Assam |
Other Significant Indian Primates
Lorises
| Species | Habitat | Traits |
|---|---|---|
| Grey Slender Loris | Western & Eastern Ghats | Nocturnal, spinal stripe, Mysore & Malabar subspecies |
| Bengal Slow Loris | NE India (South of Brahmaputra) | Large eyes, tailless, ash-gray to buff-yellow fur |
Langurs
| Species | Habitat | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Gee’s Golden Langur | Between Manas & Sankosh Rivers | Golden fur, black palms/face, Assam |
| Nilgiri Langur | Western Ghats (Kodagu to Kanyakumari) | Shiny black coat, yellow patches |
| Capped Langur | Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura | Colored cap, long tail |
Macaques
| Species | Habitat | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Lion-tailed Macaque | Western Ghats | Tufted tail, facial mane, glossy dark fur |
| Bonnet Macaque | Southern India | Cap-like hair swirl, long tail |
| Stump-tailed Macaque | NE India | Short tail, reddish-pink face, beard-like ruff |
In a Nutshell (Memory Code)
“Gibbon Calls to Gorilla Peril: Indian Primates Face Silent Threats”
(Use this mnemonic to link Gibbon with Cross River Gorilla and endangered status.)
Prelims Practice Questions
- Which Indian primate species is the only ape found in India?
a) Lion-tailed Macaque
b) Phayre’s Langur
c) Western Hoolock Gibbon
d) Grey Slender Loris - Which of the following primates is primarily folivorous and arboreal?
a) Bengal Slow Loris
b) Phayre’s Langur
c) Bonnet Macaque
d) Stump-tailed Macaque - Which sanctuary is exclusively dedicated to the conservation of gibbons in India?
a) Manas National Park
b) Hoollongapar Sanctuary
c) Trishna Wildlife Sanctuary
d) Silent Valley National Park
Mains Practice Questions
- Discuss the major threats to primate species in India and evaluate the legal and ecological measures in place for their protection.
(GS Paper 3 – Environment and Biodiversity Conservation) - India’s Northeast is a biodiversity hotspot for primates. Explain with reference to their distribution and conservation needs.
(GS Paper 1 – Indian Geography and Ecology)
Prelims Answer Key and Explanations
| Question | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | c | Western Hoolock Gibbon is the only ape species found in India |
| 2 | b | Phayre’s Langur is arboreal and primarily leaf-eating (folivorous) |
| 3 | b | Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary in Assam is dedicated to gibbon conservation |
