Proboscis Monkey as Mangrove Flagship Species
Big-nosed Primate Endangered by Habitat Loss
Jul 4, 2009
Half the animals of mangrove forests are suffering as man finds other uses for the land. Many animal species are threatened, but the Proboscis Monkey (Nasalis larvatus) could become the ‘Flagship Species’ for the habitat.
Proboscis Monkey Endangered
The image (above) shows the large nose of this species very well – exactly what it is for is still a matter of debate, maybe females find it attractive. In addition to the huge nose the monkey also has a very fat belly (see image below). These two endearing (?) features led to Indonesian natives giving the animal the name 'monyet belanda' ('Dutch Monkey') because it reminded them so much of the Dutch colonists.
Proboscis Monkeys are semi-aquatic. They are equally at home wading through the swamps or climbing in the trees. They swim well, and when they leave the water they often walk off through the forest in single file, with the mothers carrying infants in their arms. (It has been suggested that humans might also have once had similar habits.)
Mangrove Swamps
A United Nations report in 2007 stated that 20 percent of mangrove forests were destroyed between 1980 and 2005. This is partly due to the increasing use of the land for shrimp and prawn farming, and also to rising sea levels and pollution.
Species and Ecosystems Depending on Mangroves
Mangroves (and Seagrasses) are very important for the well-being of coral reefs, and the three ecosystems are inextricably intertwined. Damaging mangroves will further damage coral reefs, which have enough problems already! The mangroves not only improve water quality, they also provide safe havens for the young of many fish species.
Katherine Harmon (Scientific American July 3, 2009) quotes from ‘BioScience’ (the web-presence of the American Institute of Biological Sciences) that ‘more than 40 percent of the land-dwelling animals that live in mangrove forests are now under pressure from habitat loss’. (A slide-show of just a few of them).
Flagship Species
A flagship species one that is chosen to represent an environmental cause. They are usually chosen for their vulnerability and distinctiveness in order to increase public awareness of the problem.
Well-known flagship species include the giant panda, the African elephant, and the mountain gorilla. Each represents an ecosystem under threat.
The Proboscis Monkey is a perfect candidate for the flagship species of the mangroves – having a unique appearance and appeal, and with only a few left in the wild (around 1,000 in Sarawak). It is evaluated as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
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