The primate species that will be addressed for this paper is Presbytis (Semnopithecus) entellus, commonly known as the Hanuman gray langur. Despite being classified under “Least Concerned” on IUCN Red List, a population in Karnataka, India has decreased by a drastic 38% in 45 years and more attention needs to be paid to issues threatening conservation of Hanuman langurs [IUCN, 2008; Kumara et al., 2010]. Being primarily folivorous, habitat loss due to deforestation and intense agriculture are obvious issues. However, these are often dismissed because Hanuman langurs’ most exceptional trait is their ability to adapt to various environments with different landscapes and altitudes across South Asia [Koenig & Borries, 2001]. Another important quality
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I believe the most effective action to protect Hanuman langurs is to control wildlife trade on a geographically consistent basis. I say this because in the past, conservation efforts are heavily based on the region’s cultural or religious standpoint and so the hunting of a species may be permitted in one region while prohibited in another. This inconsistency in law enforcement can increase wildlife trade from the permitted area to the prohibited area, so all regions that inhabit Hanuman langurs must adhere to an undisputed code of conduct [Nekaris et al., 2010]. Law enforcements alone will not be sufficient, education and awareness programs must also be available so local communities can further understand the importance of biodiversity and the benefits of Hanuman langurs, such as their role in seed dispersal [Corlett, 2007]. Programs should also warn people of the potential transmission of zoonotic viruses from nonhuman primates to humans through interactions from captivity or transportation. Hanuman langurs carry the retrovirus SRV and their organs and tissues can be a source of Salmonella infection [Murphy et al., 2006]. Vice versa, nonhuman primates can be infected with human pathogens as well, such as measles and influenzas [Alves et al., 2010]. Therefore, illegal trade of …show more content…
I must emphasize that conservation of primate species must not impede on the behaviour and practices of the humans living alongside them because we ultimately want the Hanuman langurs to live in harmony with local humans. Law enforcements and awareness programs are absolutely necessary for the protection of primate species from poaching, but the application of these must be sensitive to political, economic and cultural factors. Especially in the case of Hanuman langurs, their body parts may be used for ritualistic purposes but their cultural significance has offered them numerous benefits as well, so policy makers should be sensitive towards all relevant factors when implementing
I believe the most effective action to protect Hanuman langurs is to control wildlife trade on a geographically consistent basis. I say this because in the past, conservation efforts are heavily based on the region’s cultural or religious standpoint and so the hunting of a species may be permitted in one region while prohibited in another. This inconsistency in law enforcement can increase wildlife trade from the permitted area to the prohibited area, so all regions that inhabit Hanuman langurs must adhere to an undisputed code of conduct [Nekaris et al., 2010]. Law enforcements alone will not be sufficient, education and awareness programs must also be available so local communities can further understand the importance of biodiversity and the benefits of Hanuman langurs, such as their role in seed dispersal [Corlett, 2007]. Programs should also warn people of the potential transmission of zoonotic viruses from nonhuman primates to humans through interactions from captivity or transportation. Hanuman langurs carry the retrovirus SRV and their organs and tissues can be a source of Salmonella infection [Murphy et al., 2006]. Vice versa, nonhuman primates can be infected with human pathogens as well, such as measles and influenzas [Alves et al., 2010]. Therefore, illegal trade of …show more content…
I must emphasize that conservation of primate species must not impede on the behaviour and practices of the humans living alongside them because we ultimately want the Hanuman langurs to live in harmony with local humans. Law enforcements and awareness programs are absolutely necessary for the protection of primate species from poaching, but the application of these must be sensitive to political, economic and cultural factors. Especially in the case of Hanuman langurs, their body parts may be used for ritualistic purposes but their cultural significance has offered them numerous benefits as well, so policy makers should be sensitive towards all relevant factors when implementing