More than half of the primate species face extinction threats. This alarming situation is primarily due to habitat degradation, deforestation, poaching, disease, and their dwindling populations. In response, the program unites multiple organizations dedicated to the conservation of primates. Included organizations are The Society for Preservation of Muriqui, SW Niger Delta Project, and Colobus Conservation. Their collective efforts are critical in addressing the severe challenges threatening the survival of these vital species.
There are over 500 species of primates, and over 65% of them are threatened with extinction. The major threats are deforestation, habitat degradation, poaching, disease, and small populations. Although primates receive a relatively large amount of conservation support, this is not the case across the group with species like the great apes and lemurs receiving far more attention than other species. The Milkywire Wildlife fund focuses on the more overlooked groups of species such as the Red Colobus of Africa, the primates of the Mentawai islands in Asia and the primates of Brazil’s Atlantic Forests.