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Conservationists name the top 25 primates most at risk

Sumatran orangutan - extinction - extinct - endangered species - primates - apes - ape - primate - jungle - wild - wildlife - nature - outdoors

Conservationists have named the top 25 primates most at risk, as it becomes apparent that man's closest relative is rapidly on its way out.

Scientists claim that nearly half of all known primates are now in danger of extinction due to the destruction of tropical forests, illegal wildlife trade, unauthorized hunting and legal hunting for bush-meat.

Simon Stuart, head of species survival at global conservation group the International Union For The Conservation Of Nature, compiled the list.

Of the Siau island tarsier - a primate smaller than a human hand who recently joined a list of 25 of man's closest relatives facing extinction - he said: "Now it already looks like he may be wiped out.

"The world doesn't even have one in captivity, so there will be nothing left once he is gone.

"It hasn't helped that the locals are used to eating up to ten of them in a single sitting."

Russell Mittermeier, president of Conservation International, said: “Our Top 25 list is to attract the attention of the public, to stimulate governments to do more, and to find the resources to implement conservation measures.”

Check out the list of soon-to-be-extinct primates, ranked by region, below:

Sumatran orangutan - extinction - extinct - endangered species - primates - apes - ape - primate - jungle - wild - wildlife - nature - outdoors