Experts sound alarm after returning to search for one of the world's most threatened primates: '...the world around us unravels a bit'
Scientists have reported that a rare monkey species — once known to exist in two regions — is now only found in Vietnam's Khau Ca protected reserve.
Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys are native to Vietnam. They're an endangered species that only inhabited two locations on Earth — the country's Quan Ba Forest and Khau Ca Species and Habitat Conservation Area. According to a Mongabay News article, they have vanished from Quan Ba Forest. The species' only home is now Khau Ca, raising alarms for conservationists and researchers.
The monkeys were last seen in Quan Ba Forest in June 2020. In April 2024, the Fauna & Flora Vietnam Programme supported a 32-person, five-day search of 454 miles of jungle. According to the Cambridge University Press's report, they saw no signs of Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys.
"We did not see the monkeys this year," says Lam Van Hoang, director of Fauna & Flora Vietnam. Conservationists from Fauna & Flora say this is cause for great concern. Some locals shared anecdotes of seeing the monkeys in the Quan Ba Forest. But there is no solid evidence the species survived here.
The population's disappearance is detrimental to the local ecosystem. It's also a troubling indicator of environmental issues.
This species is critically endangered. The monkeys may not seem integral, but every species plays a vital role. These monkeys are herbivores who help with seed dispersal, which supports forest growth.
When any species goes extinct, it disrupts the ecosystem's balance. This creates a ripple effect that can harm the food chain. One species disappearing can lead to others going extinct.
Ecosystem disruption can also harm the human food and clean water supply. As the Center for Biological Diversity explains, "Each time a species goes extinct, the world around us unravels a bit."
This species' endangered status is due to several human factors. Deforestation, hunting, and agricultural expansion are the likeliest causes of the population decline. Specifically, cardamom farming is destroying their habitat.
Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty?
Definitely
Only in some areas
No way
I'm not sure
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
Hoang told Mongabay News, "Without strong conservation attempts, especially from the local authorities, the population in Khau Ca will face high risks from illegal activities and pressure from local communities."
The efforts to support the species are helpful. But more must be done about deforestation and agricultural expansion.
Hoang also explained the importance of reintroducing monkeys to Quan Ba. He said it's a crucial next step and should act as a "backup population for the species."
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
11-05-2025
- Forbes
A Biologist Spotlights The Biggest Bird The World Has Ever Known. Hint: It Went Extinct During The Dark Ages
Madagascar is home to some of the world's most unique flora and fauna. And, up until about a ... More thousand years ago, it was home to the world's largest known bird species. Meet Madagascar's legendary elephant bird. The name pretty much sums it up – this bird was a true gargantuan. Weighing 2,000+ pounds and measuring up to 10 feet tall, a quick glance at one of these impressive animals might leave you wondering if you just saw a dinosaur. Unlike dinosaurs, however, humans of Madagascar frequently crossed paths with elephant birds, until their extinction around 1000 A.D. Here's the story of these flightless behemoths, from beginning to end. The elephant bird, or Aepyornis maximus, was a member of the ratite group — a classification that includes ostriches, emus, and kiwis. But the elephant bird made even the ostrich – which holds the title as the world's largest extant bird – look petite. With its massive legs and thick body, the elephant bird was built for power, not speed. It couldn't fly, but it didn't need to. With few natural predators on Madagascar, it ruled the island's forests and plains for millennia. An elephant bird — the extinct giant of Madagascar. Fossil records show that these gargantuan birds laid gargantuan eggs. A single elephant bird egg could reach over 13 inches in length and hold about two gallons of liquid – equivalent to 150 chicken eggs. These eggs remain among the largest ever discovered and have been found intact centuries after the bird's extinction, occasionally washing up along Madagascar's coasts or unearthed by farmers and archaeologists. Despite their intimidating size, elephant birds were likely herbivores, browsing on fruits, leaves, and low-lying plants. They moved slowly through the forest, using their sheer bulk to navigate through thick vegetation. (Sidebar: While the elephant bird was the heaviest bird to ever walk the Earth, it wasn't the tallest — see here to learn about New Zealand's towering, wingless wonder.) Surprisingly, scientists believe the closest living relatives of elephant birds are not ostriches or emus, but the much smaller, flightless kiwi of New Zealand — based on ancient DNA analysis. These genetic studies have also revealed that elephant birds comprised several distinct species on Madagascar, with deep evolutionary splits that justify placing them into two separate families. The elephant bird's disappearance coincides closely with the expansion of human settlement in Madagascar, estimated around 500 to 1000 A.D. This timeline suggests that human activity played a major role in their extinction. Although there's little direct evidence of elephant birds being hunted to extinction, the impact of human settlement – deforestation, habitat loss, and egg harvesting – would have drastically reduced their population. The enormous eggs, in particular, were easy targets. A single egg could feed an entire family, making them a highly attractive resource. Burning and land-clearing practices for agriculture may have further disrupted their breeding grounds and food supply. An elephant bird egg (left) compared to a chicken egg (right). The extinct elephant bird laid the ... More largest eggs of any known vertebrate — capable of holding the equivalent of more than 150 chicken eggs. Today, elephant birds live on only in legend, bones and the occasional egg in a museum. They've also inspired fantastical tales – Marco Polo wrote of enormous birds in Madagascar capable of lifting elephants, likely a distorted memory of elephant bird lore. These stories helped fuel the myth of the Roc, a giant bird from Middle Eastern mythology. Scientists continue to study elephant bird remains to better understand Madagascar's prehistoric ecosystem, and the consequences of rapid human-induced environmental change. Their story serves as a cautionary tale: even the most powerful creatures can vanish when faced with the pressures of habitat destruction and overexploitation. And yet, there's a great sense of awe and wonder surrounding these creatures. Their eggs are coveted by collectors and researchers alike. Their bones continue to yield new insights into ancient biodiversity. And their image – massive, mysterious, and extinct – reminds us of the fragility of life on islands, where evolution often runs wild but cannot always outrun human presence. Does thinking about the extinction of a species instantly change your mood? Take the Connectedness to Nature Scale to see where you stand on this unique personality dimension.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Yahoo
Cutting-edge energy company makes major breakthrough in replicating the process that powers the sun: 'Setting the gold standard'
Type One Energy has achieved a major breakthrough in fusion energy research, publishing new research for a practical fusion pilot power plant in the Journal of Plasma Physics by Cambridge University Press. The articles could be a significant step toward making fusion power a commercial reality that could transform our energy landscape with clean, abundant electricity. Fusion energy replicates the same process that powers the sun: combining hydrogen atoms under extreme heat and pressure to release enormous amounts of energy. Unlike traditional power plants, fusion produces zero greenhouse gas pollution and minimal radioactive waste, offering a potentially limitless source of clean energy using hydrogen isotopes that are abundant on Earth. The breakthrough comes from years of collaborative research between Type One Energy and scientists from national laboratories and universities worldwide. The company's "Infinity Two" design uses stellarator technology — a machine that creates complex, helical magnetic fields to control superheated plasma where fusion occurs. Their research builds on successes from Germany's Wendelstein 7-X research stellarator but also tackles the challenge of scaling the technology to a commercial power plant. "The physics basis for our new fusion power plant is grounded in Type One Energy's expert knowledge about reliable, economic, electrical generation for the power grid," Type One Energy CEO Christofer Mowry explained. "We have an organization that understands this isn't only about designing a science project." "Fusion science and technology are experiencing a period of very rapid development, driven by both public and private enthusiasm for fusion power," added Alex Schekochihin, Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Oxford. "In this environment of creative and entrepreneurial ferment, it is crucial that new ideas and designs are both publicly shared and thoroughly scrutinised by the scientific community — Type One Energy and [the Journal of Plasma Physics] are setting the gold standard for how this is done." Fusion plants would require minimal fuel inputs while generating massive amounts of power, allowing cities to potentially slash their energy budgets while reducing air pollution, which causes respiratory illnesses. The company is already working with the Tennessee Valley Authority to develop its first fusion power plant project. Type One Energy's research marks an important milestone, but commercial fusion power plants are still years away. Industry experts estimate the first commercial plants might begin operation around the 2030s, with wider adoption in the following decades. While fusion represents the next potential generation of clean energy, you can still reduce your overall energy costs through existing options such as installing solar panels or joining community solar projects. Should we be digging into the ground to find new energy sources? Definitely No way As long as it's not near me As long as it's clean energy Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Washington Post
13-03-2025
- Washington Post
Study says endangered Asian elephant population in Cambodia is more robust than previously thought
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — A genetic study of Asian elephants in northern Cambodia published Thursday reveals a larger and more robust population than previously thought, raising hopes the endangered species could slowly recover. Researchers from the Fauna & Flora conservation group collected samples from elephant dung in Cambodia's northern plains and extracted DNA. From the DNA they were able to identify individual elephants, estimate population size, and determine the sex of the animals and the overall genetic diversity of the population.
