Almost-Extinct Monkey Species Found in Indonesia

Scientists that are researching tropical rain forests in Indonesia reinventing grey big monkey species and thought to have become extinct. They rediscover the langur abu-abu /gray colobinae (Presbytis hosei canicrus) which has a black face with delicate feathers on the neck that are grayed out.

The discovery was unintentional. The team actually being installed a camera traps to capture images of orangutans, leopard, and more on forest Wehea, the eastern part of Borneo, June 2011. The unexpected, a group of monkeys that were never encountered previously appeared.


The discovery that challenge the team of scientists headed by Brent Loken from Simon Fraser University in Canada. They have no gray colobinae photo. The only one who owned is a sketch of the museum. "We're ecstatic to know the fact that it turns out that this species of monkey still exist, as well as they are found in Wehea," said Loken as quoted by AP, Friday (20/1/2012).


Colobine monkeys that have characterized the closed eyes also nose and lips that colored a little pink is believed to have spread in Borneo, Java, Sumatra, and Thailand. However, earlier stated that this type of monkey were extincted.

"Forest burning activity, land conversion, and mining became the factors for this species thought to be more difficult to find. For me, the discovery of the monkey is a representation of how many species exist in Indonesia," said Loken.
"There are many animals that are the hallmark of its spreading very little we know disappeared so quickly. It seems, many types of animals will become extinct very quickly," added Loken.

As a further step of this discovery, scientists will be examining further the number of gray colobinae that is in an area of 38,000 hectares. A number of international scientists from Indonesia and will be involved. "We will try as much as possible. However, it's like a race against time," said Loken.

Primate experts not affiliated in this study, Erick Meijaard, expressed support for the efforts of the scientists. "This is an enigmatic species," he said.

Meijaard reveals, the gray`colobinae is believed to be a subspecies of monyet daun (leaf monkey) Indonesia (Presbytis hosei) which is also in the territory of Malaysia on Borneo. However, there are allegations that the gray colobinae is a distinct species.

"We think that this might be a distinct species. This made the discovery in Borneo is much more important," said Meijaard.


source : http://sains.kompas.com/read/2012/01/20/15423578/