Kaiza Rutachwamagyo Kaganzi
Despite their vital ecological roles and intrinsic right to exist, African primate populations have suffered a substantial decline in recent years. This decline is driven by various human activities, including hunting for bushmeat, traditional medicine, profit, and even as a misguided attempt to reduce human-wildlife conflict. These threats impact primates of all kinds, from iconic species like gorillas and chimpanzees to smaller primates such as the Ashy Red Colobus Monkey (Chapman & Peres, 2021). The Ashy Red Colobus Monkey is particularly at risk, classified as Endangered by the IUCN. With a global population estimated at only 20,000 individuals, of which a mere 1,000 remain in Tanzania, this species faces a precarious future without focused conservation efforts.
Piliocolobus tephrosceles. ©Jessica Rothman.
While research in Uganda and southwestern Tanzania has improved our understanding of Ashy Red Colobus Monkey diet, population trends, and conservation needs, significant knowledge gaps remain. Information on their abundance and distribution in northwestern Tanzania is particularly scarce. To address this critical issue, this project aims to protect the Ashy Red Colobus Monkey population from human-induced threats, specifically habitat loss, fragmentation, and hunting for the illegal wildlife trade. This will be achieved by strengthening conservation efforts, raising community awareness about the ecological and social importance of the species, and conducting research to determine their current population size and range in northwestern Tanzania. This information will be vital for guiding effective protection and management strategies in the areas they inhabit.