UK urged to do more to help world's primates

THE government needs to do more to prevent an extinction crisis hitting the world's primate population, a leading conservationist said yesterday.

The warning followed publication of new research that revealed nearly half of all primate species are now in danger of being completely wiped out.

The dramatic report, compiled by the Primate Specialist Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Species Survival Commission (IUCN/SSC), included a list of the world's 25 most endangered primates.

Launching the report at Bristol Zoo Gardens yesterday, Dr Russell Mittermeier, chairman of the IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group and president of Conservation International, called on the UK government to live up to its strong historical record for conservation.

Dr Mittermeier said: "The British have a long history, this is the strongest country in the world for conservation traditions.

"I'm just amazed by how much interest there is in conservation interests on the part of the public. The BBC is great. Attenborough is a global icon. But the government – which has historical links with many of the highest priority areas for conservation in the world – could be doing much more specifically for biodiversity conservation and ensuring protected areas are maintained."

Dr Mittermeier said the UK government could look to its French, German and Norwegian counterparts, who were the three "superstars" in terms of European funding for conservation projects.

The top 25 most endangered primates include five primate species from Madagascar, six from Africa, 11 from Asia and three from Central and South America. Destruction of tropical forests, the illegal wildlife trade and commercial bushmeat hunting were all blamed for the endangerment.