Spotlight on Students: Primate Conservation

 The following is a guest post featuring the work of a student enrolled in SA 202: Introduction to Anthropology.  This exceptional work highlights the importance of primate conservation.  I hope you find this piece informative and are inspired to make a positive change in the world that will help this and other endangered primates.

 

By: Tyler Roe

Roloway Monkey (copyright: Alex Sliwa)

 

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has assessed a total of 142,577 species. Of those assessed, there are more than 40,000 (28%) listed as threatened with extinction. Of the mammals assessed, 26% are characterized as threatened. One such mammal listed is the Roloway monkey (Cercopithecus roloway), an African monkey currently listed by the IUCN as Critically Endangered (“IUCN Red List of Threatened Species”). As humans, we have a duty to preserve the planet, which includes maintaining and reestablishing Roloway monkey populations.

            Roloway monkeys can be found in West Africa. These monkeys typically live in groups of six to 22 members within mature forests, especially mangrove trees. Groups typically have one dominant male with several females and their offspring. They are larger monkeys that possess a dark grey body with a crimson lower back, a beige-colored chest, and grey to black face (Johnson, 2015). The lifespan of the Roloway monkey is unknown, but the oldest in captivity lived for 31 years (Napier and Napier, 1967). They are considered omnivores with a diet consisting mostly of insects but also fruits and leaves.

            Several factors, either directly or indirectly, have led to the endangerment of this species. Two of the most influential factors are hunting and habitat destruction (Wiafe, 2014). While these monkeys are hunted for bushmeat, which is a vital source of protein and crucial to many residents’ income, this practice is not sustainable as most large mammal species that are hunted are already at dangerously low populations (Ampadu-Agyei and Adomako, 2002). Deforestation in this region is also affecting the Roloway monkeys’ populations. It has been due to the increase in “clear cutting of mature rainforest for the cultivation of cocoa, rubber, and palm oil” (Osei, Horwich, and Pittman, 2015:25).

In order to prevent the extinction of this species, both factors must be addressed. To combat the decrease in population due to hunting for bushmeat the Conservation International- Ghana’s Program (CI-Ghana) has launched a campaign to raise public awareness nationally. This has allowed older wildlife laws to come under review (Ampadu-Agyei and Adomako, 2002). In order to reduce further deforestation and its effects on the primate population, Ghanian law could be used to grant the Kwabre Rainforest protected area status. This would allow the Kwabre Rainforest, the Ankasa Conservation Area in Ghana, and Tanoé Forest in Cote d’Ivoire to be managed under an integrated conservation plan (Danquah and Tetteh, 2016).

Preservation of this species is important to the ecosystem that they inhabit. As omnivores whose diet consists mostly of insects, Roloway monkeys are able to help control invertebrate populations within the forests that they live. By eating fruit, Roloway monkeys play a key role in the dispersion of fruit seeds (Lussier, 2021). Without these particular monkeys, many aspects of the ecosystem in which they live could go unchecked leading to detrimental disruptions in that ecosystem.

While there are numerous species listed on the IUCN’s endangered species list, mammals particularly primates, such as the Roloway monkey, are especially important. Primates are the closest animal group to humans. They serve countless roles within the ecosystems that they live. Through the study of primates, particularly those that live in groups, researchers are able to learn more about basic and naturalistic human interaction. It is crucial for diminished primate populations to be preserved and then reestablished. This can be done through campaigns to bring awareness to hunting and deforestation as well as review old wildlife laws and create new ones that preserve those populations (Ampadu-Agyei and Adomako, 2002).

In conclusion, the Roloway monkey serves an integral part of their ecosystems. Due to deforestation and hunting for bushmeat, the populations have declined resulting in the Roloway monkey being listed as Critically Endangered on IUCN’s Red List. By protecting their rainforest with conservation laws, we can increase their population. This would help preserve the species long-term and allowing the Roloway monkey to continue to contribute to its ecosystem.

 

References

 

Ampadu-Agyei, O., & Adomako, E. (2002). Bushmeat utilisation, human livelihoods and conservation of large mammals in west Africa2. Links between Biodiversity Conservation, Livelihoods and Food Security: The sustainable use of wild species for meat, 45.

Danquah, E., & Tetteh, E. H. (2016). Logging activity adversely impacts primate diversity and density in the Kwabre Rainforest of Ghana. International Journal of Ecology, 2016.

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. (2021). Retrieved February 25, 2022, from https://www.iucnredlist.org/ 

Johnson, K. (2015.). Cercopithecus Roloway (Roloway Monkey). Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved February 25, 2022, from https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Cercopithecus_roloway/#7975F311-7339-11E4-826A-002500F14F28 

Lussier, Z. (2021, June). Roloway Monkey. New England Primate Conservancy. Retrieved February 25, 2022, from https://www.neprimateconservancy.org/roloway-monkey.html 

Napier, J. R., & Napier, P. H. (1967). A Handbook of Living Primates: Morphology, ecology and behaviour of nonhuman primates. Academic Press. 

Osei, D., Horwich, R. H., & Pittman, J. M. (2015). First sightings of the Roloway Monkey (Cercopithecus diana roloway) in Ghana in ten years and the status of other endangered primates in Southwestern Ghana. African Primates, 10, 25-40.

Wiafe, E. D. (2013). Status of the critically endangered roloway monkey (Cercopithecus diana roloway) in Dadieso Forest Reserve, Ghana. African Primates, 8, 9-16.

 

 

 

 

Spotlight on Students: Primate Conservation

The following is a guest post featuring the work of a student enrolled in SA 202: Introduction to Anthropology.  This exceptional work highlights the importance of primate conservation.  I hope you find this piece informative and are inspired to make a positive change in the world that will help this and other endangered primates.

 

By: Travis Barrett

Geoffrey's Spider Monkey (Image Credit: National Geographic)

            There are several criteria that a species must meet before they are considered endangered. The IUCN, or the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, has created a “red list” which provides information on all species and their possible extinction status (IUCN Red List, 2021). Geoffroy’s spider monkey, also known as the black-handed spider monkey, is considered critically endangered because of their loss of habitat and dwindling numbers due to be hunted, both for food and because of the exotic pet trade. Endangered species, such as the Geoffroy’s spider monkey, need to be protected as they are vital for keeping their habitats, and in turn the planet, healthy. This essay will discuss recognizable features and behaviors of Geoffroy’s spider monkey, how they are endangered due to human activity, and why this species along with all other species classified as endangered are important and should be protected. 

            The scientific name for this species is ateles geoffroyi, and they can be found in Central America in countries such as Mexico, Guatemala and Nicaragua. The New England Primate Conservancy, who focus on educating people about protection of wild primates, say that this species has black hands and feet, very slender limbs, and coats that are reddish-brown to black. The majority of their diet includes fruit, which also helps keep them hydrated as they obtain the majority of their water from fruits. They are also arboreal and require a lot of space, which is why deforestation has impacted them so harshly (Geoffroys Spider monkey, n.d.).

            Humans endanger this species in several different ways, one of which being deforestation. They have large home ranges that can span for thousands of acres, and become very vulnerable because of the habitat fragmentation that they face because of both deforestation and urbanization, such as the creation of roads through what was once a survivable habitat for many different species. There are several negative consequences to this, including limiting resources as well as limiting the variety of mates, which leads to a lack of genetic diversity (Martin, 2018) and raises the mortality rate should a population get sick. Geoffroy’s spider monkey is also hunted for multiple different reasons, including food and because they, along with others of the primate order becoming popularized as pets, can be sold for thousands of dollars. 10% of those that were verified to be sold in a study by Melissa S. Seaboch were shown to be of the species spider monkey, costing a minimum of $13,000, and of the ten that they studied, only one lived to be over two years old (Seaboch and Cahoon, 2021) while those in the wild can live more than twenty-five.

            Geoffroy’s spider monkey is important to protect because they are seed dispersers, as the organic materials that fall due to their activity helps to provide nourishment to the soil, leading to the growth of trees. To protect the species, conservation of their habitat is necessary as it is not currently possible to change their status from endangered due to the current state of their habitats. There are also efforts made by zoos to breed those who have not interacted with hopes to promote genetic diversity (Geoffroys Spider monkey, n.d., para. 28). It is necessary to protect all species from extinction as they are important for keeping the planet healthy. As stated above, primates provide nourishment to soil, however they also lead to ecological diversity and are important to food webs because they are both prey and predators in every enviroment that they inhabit (Central American Spider Monkey, n.d.).

            In conclusion, Geoffroy’s spider monkey is only one example of a primate who is endangered, however all of them should be protected because they help keep the planet, and in turn the creatures who live on this planet, healthy. Unfortunately for most endangered primates, their habitat is not safe enough for their species to thrive, but with the help of those who want to help by educating others and work towards conservation efforts, these animals can someday return to the wild without the risk of extinction.

Citations

Martin, J. (2018, August 16). What is habitat fragmentation and what does it mean for wildlife? Woodland Trust. Retrieved February 25, 2022, from https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2018/08/what-is-habitat-fragmentation-and-what-does-it-mean-for-our-wildlife/

Seaboch, M. S., & Cahoon, S. N. (2021, September 8). Pet primates for sale in the United States. PloS one. Retrieved February 25, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8425555/#pone.0256552.ref020

Central American spider monkey. EOL. Retrieved February 27, 2022, from https://eol.org/pages/323938

Geoffroys Spider monkey. New England Primate Conservancy. (n.d.). Retrieved February 25, 2022, from https://www.neprimateconservancy.org/geoffroys-spider-monkey.html

IUCN red list of threatened species. IUCN. (2021, March 25). Retrieved February 25, 2022, from https://www.iucn.org/resources/conservation-tools/iucn-red-list-threatened-species

 

 

Easter Hags and Changing Traditions in Sweden

 

Figure 1: Swedish children dressed as Easter witches (Photo credit: Jonas Ekströmer)

It is the time of year where many individuals who either follow one of the Christian faiths or practice related holidays begin to celebrate Easter.  This Judeo-Christian holiday has a religious component, although various secular customs are associated with this holiday (e.g., decorating eggs, participating in in Easter egg hunts, chocolate bunnies, and more).  While several of these may be familiar to you today’s blog post will introduce you to a Swedish tradition that you may not be familiar with: the påskkärringar, or Easter hag/witch, tradition.  This post will discuss what it is, how it came to be, and how it is changing to match current Swedish cultural norms and values.

 

In Sweden five full days are dedicated to the commemoration and celebration of Easter.  This affair begins on Easter Thursday, known among the Swedes as Skärtorsdag (Maudy Thursday).  While several of the days are dedicated to specific Judeo-Christian traditions it is Skärtorsdag (Maudy Thursday) that appeals to the secular aspects of Swedish tradition.  This is the day when children, particularly girls, get to dress up and participate in the Swedish mummering tradition known as påskkärringar.  Påskkärringar translates literally into Easter Hag but generally it is better known as Easter Witch.  Children dress up as Easter witches and go door to door exchanging holiday greetings and handmade art for candy.  Girls traditionally wear scarves around their heads and shawls around their shoulders, as well as make up that paints their faces with large red freckles (Figure 1).  Boys more recently have changed their traditional dress, wearing formal black suits, top hats, and don fake mustaches.  This is meant to represent the male version of the Easter old man, the påskgubbar.

 

The exact origins of the påskkärringar/Easter hag/witch tradition is a little murky, but it first began in the 1800s.  This was around a hundred years after the Swedish witch trials ended, which is characterized as a dark part of Swedish history.  From 1450 and 1750 Sweden, much like the rest of Europe, underwent a series of historical and religious phases in which individuals were accused and found guilty of consorting with the Devil.  It is estimated that in Sweden an estimated 100000 “witches” were executed, the vast majority of whom were women.  The observance of the påskkärringar approximately a hundred years later is viewed as being either a means of softening this dark past or completely erasing it. 

 

Today, this Swedish tradition is undergoing several reformations to match the ever changing cultural values inherent within modern Swedish society.  In urban centers across the country many parents are opting not to allow their children to fully participate by excluding them from the mummering, or door to door, portion.  There are fears of the children’s safety that play a role in this change.  Other alterations are a greater commercialization of Easter, with greater emphasis on chickens, eggs, and rabbits, and the introduction of Halloween to the country.  More and more parents are either dressing their children up in formal attire or in costumes resembling eggs or chickens instead of as Easter witches, while others are withdrawing entirely from these celebrations, replacing them completely with Halloween.  It will be interesting to see where this tradition goes as Swedish culture continues to change.

 

Works Cited

Hugoson, Marlene. "“Instant Tradition”: The Introduction." Folklore 117.1 (2006): 75-86. Print.

Liedholm, Astrid. Påskkärringar or cute witches? How cultural words are translated in tourist information websites. GÖTEBORGS : GÖTEBORGS UNIVERSITET, 2021. Print.

Rosenblad, Kajsa. "Swedish Easter: Witches, Birch Twigs & Påskmust." 1 April 2021. Scandinavia Standard. Electronic. 22 February 2022.

Tiderman-Österberg, Jennie. "The Swedish Witch Trials: How to Confront Dark Heritage." Smithsonian Magazine 25 October 2021. Electronic.