Primates
Chimpanzee losses and successes.
How DO we save our nearest relative? The wild chimpanzee is far different from the tea-swilling and ultra-cute babies we are used to in various disguises. The existence of these populations in Africa echoes our own origins, but differently! To allow the fabulous gorilla or these bonobos and chimpanzee to disappear from our native Africa would be like allowing sand to slip through our despairing fingers. Stop the trapping and the logging. Immediate gain will not lead to any long-term advantage. We have lost most of the earth, so these precious animals and plants are just a dwindling reminder of the antics of ourselves and our ridiculous past.
Humans are lightweights
How does our skeleton fit us? Is it designed for the activity and sports that we love so much, because of a past of long-distance running and hunting and gathering. Is it more suited to the couch potato, who rarely needs his or her joints to mobilise their frame? The answer lies in agriculture apparently, needing hard work, but from a more gracile form than that of our relatives such as the Neanderthals. The great apes here have heavy frames apart from the 2 extremes, the leaping gibbon and the agricultural human!
The ultimate rainforest tree thrived in Sundaland.
From Thailand to the southeast of China and then throughout the Sunda shelf much of which is now underwater, the rainforest was supreme. It was delineated by the presence of many species of dipterocarp, entwined with rattans and delicious fruiting trees, all set off with the huge biodiversity of tigers and elephant, Orang-utan and civets. It still remains, but it desperately cries out for conservation all of that which is left!
Cats, as we know them.
The attraction of cats is a puzzle for some and taken for granted by others. In fact, like dogs, they are highly genetically-adapted to be irresistible, otherwise humans would have discarded them both eons ago. Have fun with this great research to ease our guilt at having non-primate commensals. (No, get off the table, you mut!)
Monkeys' and apes' cultural learning
The human species exploded with tools and cultural learning at several stages in their distant history. Just how mentally-equipped are other primates for a cultural rush
of tool using and rapid evolution?
Cultures can exist beyond the (naked) apes.
For years, humans have been advancing slowly on how animal culture might be transmitted. In efforts to understand both our own ancestors and the mechanisms of social behaviour everywhere, we are seeing achievements at many levels of discovery.
Were mad about Madagascar.
How much research flows out of Madagascar, on the lemurs, chameleons and frogs alone. We have to preserve this island and sustain its people in their struggles with nature, including climate change. The age of introspection is over. This is one planet and we all are one with it just investigate the biodiversity and the climate change conferences mushrooming in response to popular demands.
Monkeys redden up for breeding.
Humans dont have sexual coloured skin, but many primates use their colour to attract mates. The red colour of rhesus monkeys attracts the opposite sex, so perhaps there is hope for redheads yet!
Marmosets are marvelous !
The study of human relatives goes far beyond the simian primates, but this species is the smallest and probably the most unique of all our closer relatives. Its also American, which brings genomics into the New World for the first time as far as monkeys are concerned.
Gorillas see tourists by appointment
We need to help critically endangered species urgently.One of the most deserving and endearing is the mountain gorilla, although a real choice would be near-impossible. In Bwindi, the organisation-level is ensuring a growing population, so investment as a tourist seems one of the better prospects, given the difficulties many other species face. In some cases, your visit could conceivably cause their extinction!
Save the Congo chimpanzee!
With discovery comes responsibility. At least we dont face extinction yet for the chimpanzee. These last great discoveries of the polluting era are important in that we can still recover the situation for many species, some of them on their last legs. In the case of our closest relative, we need to motivate, to work hard and even fight to the death for the result that is imperative.
Aping human ecologies
We have this need to understand how our ancestors developed into something beyond the chimpanzee. The problem of lack of skeleton evidence is avoided here with some new techniques of isotope recognition within tooth enamel.
Gorillas and Attenborough
Do we help the gorillas and the great fauna of Africa as profit and greed take them all from us? This is an appeal from the very top to help the famed mountain gorilla, one of the 2 eastern sub-species and the best known.
Travelling orang
Sumatran male orang-utans make their intentions clear in this paper on behaviour that makes planning one of those details that makes some animals different.
Bats and dolphins have a similar genetic heritage
The thought of bat and whale being related because they have similar hearing is incorrect. If we study a range of species, though, the evolutionary convergences of many kinds of sensory structures is very involving. What's next? Our chimpanzee friends will be developing their typing skills before we know it!
Barbary 'apes' out in the cold
How will monkeys survive in the mountains if winters become colder? Can species survive climate change when they are living at the edge of their ideal niche?
Revelatory ape maturity in Sumatra and Borneo
We don't see any normal lack of secondary sexual characteristics in the great apes - except in the orang-utan. The undeveloped male in these two species, without the large dewlap-like flange, cannot change back to this morph but usually develops into the mature morph over a variable period of time.
Conservationists celebrate increase in mountain gorilla numbers
The world population of mountain gorillas has increased to 880 individuals, according to the latest census data released by the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Chimpanzee cooperatives
This is a set of experiments investigating how chimpanzees, our closest living relatives, collaborate in groups to collect food or drink in specially designed apparatus.
Primates are in peril - Our relatives are almost extinct
A new report highlights the 25 most endangered primate species. The new report, Primates In Peril, was published this week at the UN's Convention on Biological Diversity COP11.
Great Apes threatened again, this time by habitat loss
After years of depredations ranging from their use for bushmeat to dwindling population and disease, African apes are now in greater danger than ever, this time from habitat loss.
Meet Lesula, Congo's Colourful New Species of Monkey
Discovery of a new species of monkey in the Democratic Republic of Congo, described as lesula or Cercopithecus lomamiensis.
Asian Species in Crisis
From orang-utan to giant catfish, the exotic animals of Asia are just about the most endangered, and loved, on earth.
Chimpanzees choose hand clasps by cultural preference
New study into chimpanzee social grooming behaviour. Researchers investigated cultural differences between four chimpanzee communities by studying differences in chimp grooming hand clasps.
Those pesky apes keep coming and adapting - as do the theories
Human origins fascinate some people more than our currently-evolved selves. We have, in Africa, the mother of our species and civilisation. Unfortunately, we were fed a false theory in the beginning and now play catch up with the fossils that give us clues about our adaptive ancestors.
Aping parrots?
A new study into African Grey parrot intelligence using acoustic association. While several animals now appear to almost equal the apes in intelligence, conclusive proof was needed.
Liu Pu discovers the 'new' snub nosed monkey in China
A fantastic primate discovery in China as black snub-nose monkey species spotted. The black snub-nosed monkey is now established in both China and Myanmar but is hanging on to survival by a thread.
Change partners for the capuchin social event of the year
Primates are prime examples of reciprocal behaviour. Studying tufted capuchin cognition, Gloria Sabbatini et al researched the theory that reciprocal partner preference is based on long-term, rather than short-term benefit experiences.
How pedal-powered films are helping save Uganda's last gorillas
Pedal power helps spread the message about endangered gorillas. Gorilla conservation helped by a pedal-powered cinema that currently tours around different communities in Uganda.
Who are the most successful primates? - well, us, just!
A study of the rhesus macaque and primate genetic diversity. The diversity of primates is legion, but within each species is a diversity that has enabled them to conquer continents, forest, scrub and mountain environments.
Slow loris poaching and the illegal pet trade
International Animal Rescue help suffering animals such as slow lorises. The slow loris is a species affected by the illegal pet trade, poachers catch them and remove their poisonous teeth. Marta and Willis were the first attempt by IAR to rehabilitate slow lorises and return them back to the wild.
Broadcasting the message of gorilla conservation
Radio remains a key tool for gorilla conservation. It links people living on the edge of the mountain gorilla habitat in DR Congo and spreads the message about the conservation of gorillas.
The secret to getting up close and personal with Mountain Gorillas
How do you get notoriously shy mountain gorillas to accept the presence of humans in their midst? The secret lies in a process called habituation, experts say.
The lemurs' radiation in Madagascar
At least 17 species of lemur have been lost on Madagascar, leaving the remainder to adjust to niches that others occupied, possibly in a competitive way, in hypothetical adaptations known as "competitive release concepts."
Are Conservation Groups Right to Prioritize 'Iconic' Species?
Conservationists are often accused of prioritizing 'cute and cuddly' animals over les glamorous species. For their part, some conservationists argue that harnessing the potential of 'flagship species' such as gorillas, tigers and pandas does far more good than harm. Tackling this issue for 'The Earth Times Asks' series of debates are Helen Buckland and Nathan Yaussy.
Asian primate evolution livened up by an odd-nosed monkey
Recently, in Myanmar, an odd-nosed monkey was discovered. Always an exciting event, the primate discovery has livened up the whole of primate evolution.
Gorilla Glutes get the Girls
The bigger the better when it comes to male silverback gorilla muscles. Larger gorillas are better at attracting mates and raising young according to a new study carried out in the Congo.
Orangutan engineer gains degree
Orangutans have impressive engineering skills highlighted in new research. Safe, comfortable oval nest structures are built by orangutans using branches in the forest canopy.
The Game of Life
Advanced social behaviour of higher primates, cetaceans and a few others are investigated in a unique experiment with 96 undergraduates in a Sims-like virtual world.
Gorilla genomes and hopes for hominids
With the genome of the western gorilla, a new paper has contrived successfully to contrast ourselves and other ape genomes as they have changed in evolution.
Tarsier Secretly Squeaking
High in the Filipino rainforest, speeches are being made and trysts announced. Predators and prey may well be limited in their understanding, but the tiniest primate, the tarsier has been letting us turn a deaf ear.
Chimpanzee Altruism
When we help each other, it's often voluntary and we can offer varying forms of understanding. Whether our closest relative can concur with his fellow chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) when aiming for a goal could be a crucial question.
Rarest of gorillas, the Cross River gorilla, is fighting back
In Cameroon and Nigeria, the critically-endangered Cross River gorilla (IUCN. Red List, 2008) 'Gorilla gorilla diehli' is down to 280 individuals. The sub-species of the western gorilla has been found trying to fight back against incredible odds.
Rare brown spider monkeys discovered in Colombia
Two endangered subspecies of brown spider monkeys have been found by conservationists in a Colombian national park.
'Extinct' monkey found in Borneo rainforest
The Miller's Grizzled Langur, a species of monkey thought to be extinct, has been found by scientists in Wehea Forest, west of its previously known habitat.
Plain faces of primate evolution aid communication
Primate faces evolve to be simpler and plainer in larger groups, which help them communicate through facial expression, a new study suggests. Their facial evolution also alter according to their environment.
Colour blindness helps monkeys catch camouflaged prey
A recent project has reversed the opinions we tend to hold on colour vision. The study on various types of tamarin monkey suggests colour blindness actually helps monkeys catch camouflaged prey.
Bushmeat in NYC!
Illegal wildlife products include live rats, chimpanzees and monkeys (bushmeat), but meat from these creatures is also imported. At risk of infecting humans are the RNA viruses, herpes viruses, retroviruses and many other potential health problems.
New Caledonian crows and their tools
Tool using has now been observed in several species since the chimpanzee showed us that we are not alone in the use of implements. The New Caledonian crow has joined the rook, the Eurasian jay and the Egyptian vulture in the bird tool users club.
Hominids, orangutans, and really hard seeds
New research on orangutans can shed light on the evolution of the human species. Sometime in the deep past, one or more hominid species started down an evolutionary path that would eventually lead to us: how exactly did that happen? Now, a recent piece of research on hungry orangutans has contributed something to the discussion.
Gorillas and Chimpanzees to end up on a plate
The Max Planck Institute in Leipzig have surveyed 109 resource management areas in Africa for twenty years to reach profoundly disturbing conclusions. The future of our nearest relatives is in doubt. In order to literally combat (in some cases) the decline of the Great Apes, it is now necessary to quantify the effects of every conservation measure.
Chimp throwbacks
Human evolution seems to have begun with tools, language and hunting. Now it seems the silver medallist in these events is catching us up. Chimpanzees have long been recorded throwing with great accuracy in zoos as well as in the wild.
Hoolock gibbons rescued in India
Gibbons are one of the largest types of apes that are found in India and a recent rescue mission has saved a small group that were stranded in a cluster of trees.
Orang-utan killing in Kalimantan
Serious threat to the endangered ape shown in a new study. Research showed that at least 750 orang-utans were killed in the last year. Indonesian, Malaysian and Australian researchers have produced this shocking result from an analysis of human and orang-utan conflict in Kalimantan.
Muriqui Mothers - a stabilising influence
Anthropological and genetic studies have shown that older female muriqui monkeys play an important role in their social structure.
Early South American Mammal
Guillermo Rougier of the University of Louisville, Kentucky report two very significant Dryolestoid fossil skulls from the Cretaceous. Rougier, Apesteguia, and Gaetano publish the paper in Nature as an Argentinian/US collaboration.
Macaque monkeys on Mauritius, a sad monkey's tale
A problem uncovered by BUAV is the distress macaque monkeys suffer in transit, when captured and also their fate (as wild monkeys). The British Union Against Vivisection has been active for a commendable 100 years and more, raising our awareness on issues that should horrify us all. Around 10,000 monkeys a year are exported from Mauritius for prices up to £2600 each.
New primate species found skittering in threatened Amazon
A three-week expedition through some of the unexplored remnants of Amazonian rainforest, in Brazil's Mato Grosso state, has uncovered a wealth of nature - including a brand new species of monkey. The new member to the titi monkey family was discovered alongside new species of fish and plants, all in a part of the Amazon where most of Brazil's deforestation is happening.
Trade in snakes, macaques, sharks out of control, CITES affirms
CITES convention examines effects of trade on at-risk species like long-tailed macaques, sharks, and several snake species. Unsustainable wildlife trade not only devastates local ecosystems, it also causes great suffering to individual animals and can introduce invasive species that damage ecosystems abroad.
Rare northern white-cheeked crested gibbons discovered in Vietnam
Exciting find of northern white-cheeked gibbons in southeast Asia. Across the hoots, rustles and chirrups sounding through Vietnam's remote Pu Mat National Park, a dawn chorus can be heard. One haunting sound represents a new hope for a critically endangered primate, the northern white-cheeked crested gibbon.
Rescuing and Rehabilitating Chimps in MONA's Sanctuary
Animal rescue charity plans 10th anniversary celebration to raise funds. Chimpanzees are our nearest relative, and share many of our own traits: the need for family and companionship, a desire for status within the group, and sometimes volatile personal relationships with other chimps and the humans they encounter.
Can Chimps Have PTSD?
Captive chimps suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and other mental illnesses, researchers find. Laboratory testing, capture, isolation from social groups, and even captivity in "enriched" environments lead to abnormal behavior in chimps, two studies show.
Delight at mountain gorilla twin surprise
They're only the sixth pair of twins recorded in Rwandan mountain gorilla history and have arrived, with perfect timing, to give a boost to the endangered species before the annual naming ceremony. The new twins come hot on the heels of the fifth recorded double birth, in the Hirwa Group of mountain gorillas.
Critically Endangered species given boost by new study
Species with low populations can still be saved. These species, such as the Siberian tiger and mountain gorilla, were thought by some scientists to be 'too rare to save'. Some of the world's most endangered species exist in populations far smaller than previous studies had argued were necessary for survival.
Mountain gorillas face human health hazard
Mountain gorillas are under assault from a new enemy - human pneumonia-type viruses - according to research published in Emerging Infectious Diseases. The closeness of our relationship to our magnificent genetic cousins has led to this increased disease risk, that may well require changes to our approaches to conserve them.
Oil Exploration suspended in Virunga World Heritage Site
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has withdrawn permission that allows companies to drill for oil in Africa's Virunga National Park. Virunga National Park is Africa's first National Park. It has an astonishingly high biodiversity and is home to many rare species including chimpanzees, forest elephants and the endangered eastern gorilla.
Not just a pretty face: adult Barbary macaques recognise photos of friends
According to new research, untrained Barbary macaques are able to differentiate between pictures of familiar and unfamiliar faces. Scientists discovered that the monkeys were able recognise photographs of group members, and spent more time studying pictures of animals that were not part of their social circle.
Population boost for rare greater bamboo lemurs
Conservationists have found populations of the greater bamboo lemur in new areas of Madagascar. Now, the future for these critically endangered species is a little bit brighter. Like many of Madagascar's unique species, the greater bamboo lemur is under increasing pressure. Rainforests in Madagascar are being cleared by indiscriminate slash-and-burn techniques to make way for farmland.
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Recent News
While many of our articles concentrate on raptors or rare species, the birds we look at tend to duck
the more obvious species of waterfowl. In the case of the beautiful smew, a lot of work has gone into investigating every country it migrates through on its long journey across Eurasia. Gathered together by Diego Pavon-Jordan from the Finnish Museum of Natural History and NOWAC, this ornithological group have established valid links between global warming and a switch in an animals habits of migration.
Deeply involved in the past, this insight into how the archipelago of Europe survived the terrible disaster of the K-Pg boundary is essential reading- if you are a North American dinosaur, that is!
How clean is your home? Rephrase that now and ask yourself how polluted it is, compared to the fresh air, if your neighbourhood has any. You may be hygienic too, which is another kettle of fish (smelly that is). Whatever your situation, we all become complacent. It is not only the drains, polluted with too much detergent. Your own life, that of children and that of older and sick people is endangered by what you do. Awareness is a very simple science, pure and logical, but we must keep up. New products often turn out to be unexpectedly dangerous, even to the manufacturer. The testing now is rigorous, but simpler science is best.
Recent Blog Posts
Need to save money after the spending boom to end them all? Here are 2 sets of opinions on how to pull out the plugs at night at least.
When dolphins are 'rescued' in various countries, the car given seems to be ill-considered. We are simply looking at the success rate which is reported to be low, in most places. They could even end up in commercial aquarium shows, but they certainly rarely make it back to the sea.
What is killing bees? Chelsea has the answer here.
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