Renewed surges of deforestation and poaching in the 1990s, as well as shrinking genetic diversity, suddenly are thinning the ranks of many species to just a few hundred individuals, or a few dozen. In a few cases, scientists aren't even sure if a species still exists. Or the golden-headed langur on Vietnam's Cat Ba Island. We're doing surveys to find them. Close to 20 percent stand a reasonable chance of disappearing in the next 20 years unless we take decisive action.
Primates are the highest order of mammals.
Primates have been in worsening trouble for decades as the world's human population crashed the 6 billion barrier. Researchers blame recent losses primarily on political unrest and commercial exploitation of the creatures' habitats. It's no coincidence that endangered primates live in environments under assault. The nations have to believe it is in their benefit to protect their wildlife resources. Indonesia, home to 10 percent of the world's primate species, already is the world's largest timber exporter.