Negative Patas monkeys frequently raid crops. During these raids, they steal millet, bannas, peanuts, wheat, and dates. The conservation of the patas monkey is critical because of their already small population size, limited geographic range and the current destruction of their habitats. Hunting by humans has increased progressively, especially in West Africa. In areas where hunting occurs, mortality from hunting may obscure biological interactions that otherwise limit populations.
Hunters kill patas monkeys for the flesh in the Ivory Coast.
The mountain Nuba people and tribal groups also hunt the patas monkey. Many farmers and plantation owners shoot these species when they raid their crops. Patas monkeys are collected and sold as pets or they are sold to medical research institutions. Over 1000 patas monkeys are collected per year. There are now eighteen national parks and eleven reserves in which patas monkeys can be found.