Is the southern patas monkey Erythrocebus baumstarki Africa's next primate extinction? Reassessing taxonomy, distribution, abundance, and conservation

Africa's southern patas monkey, Erythrocebus baumstarki, faces imminent extinction due to an 85% decline in its historic range and habitat loss. Once spanning approximately 66,000 km², its current distribution is confined to about 2150 km² within the western Serengeti, with fewer than 200 individuals remaining. The species was extirpated from Kenya by 2015 and Tanzania's Kilimanjaro region by 2011. This study reassesses its taxonomy, distribution, and conservation status using literature reviews, museum specimens, fieldwork, and citizen science data, highlighting rapid population decline driven by human encroachment, habitat fragmentation, poaching, and climate change. Urgent conservation action is recommended to mitigate threats and prevent extinction.

de Jong, Y. A., & Butynski, T. M. (2021). Is the southern patas monkey Erythrocebus baumstarki Africa’s next primate extinction? Reassessing taxonomy, distribution, abundance, and conservation. American Journal of Primatology, 83(10). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.23316