The exhibition “Chances for Nature – Diversity and Threats to Primates” shows unique nature photographs of our closest relatives at Salem Monkey Mountain and provides insights into Chances for Nature’s conservation projects in Peru and Madagascar. Over 500 different primates live on our planet. 60% of them are threatened with extinction according to IUCN.

Since Saturday, May 20, 2017, Chances for Nature has been presenting photographs of primates from the projects from Peru and Madagascar at Affenberg Salem. Impressive photos show the diversity of our closest relatives. The exhibition also aims to draw attention to the threatening situation in which many primates around the world find themselves. “About 60% of all primates are now red-listed and at risk of extinction,” according to a January 2017 study in the journal Science Advances. If action is not taken soon, many primates will become extinct in the next 20-30 years. Humans threaten the survival of many primates through deforestation of rainforests through illegal hunting and the pet trade.

Exhibition on the diversity of primates at the Salem Monkey Mountain- Chances for Nature

Exhibition on the diversity of primates at the Salem Monkey Mountain- Chances for Nature

With its projects in Peru and Madagascar, Chances for Nature demonstrates solutions for the sustainable protection of primates and their habitats. Chances for Nature relies on a combination of education, sustainable development and research in the primates’ countries of origin.

Peru and Madagascar are characterized by a particularly high diversity of primates. At least 51 different species of primates live in Peru. Almost unbelievable, but 18 of them occur in the Chances for Nature project area on the Rio Tapiche. Among them is the still little studied red uakari(Cacajao calvus). The area therefore occupies a special position for the conservation of primates in Peru.

On the island of Madagascar, one distinguishes today over 100 different species of lemurs, all of which are found only on Madagascar. The lemurs of Madagascar are the most endangered group of mammals in the world. Madagascar is thus in the spotlight when it comes to preserving the diversity of primates. In the Chances for Nature project area in western Madagascar, there are eight different species of lemur, including the world’s smallest primate, the Madame Berthe’s mouse lemur(Microcebus berthae).