New Snub-Nosed Monkey - Almost Extinct Already?
Summary
Recently discovered in Myanmar was a new species of monkey which has been named the "snub-nosed monkey" due to that fact that its nose is so snub that rainfall results in uncontrollable sneezing. Scientists first learned of this new species in 2010 from exotic hunters in the Kachin state (northern Burma). These new snub-nosed monkeys are characterized by their signature snub-nose, white wispy beard, prominent lips, ear tufts and a longer tail than its cousins in China and Vietnam. This monkey is already classified as critically endangered for various reasons. Hunters often kill and eat this species of monkey when no other meat is available. In rain season, these monkeys are very easy prey because their sneezing makes them easy to locate. Along with poaching, Chinese logging companies are destroying the snub-nosed monkey's habitat as well as killing it via landslides. When trees are removed from steep mountains, the soil around the roots is misplaced and may result in landslides which kill the monkeys. Also, the increasing amounts of human camps in Myanmar are leading to traps, weapons and the hunting of these monkeys. It is estimated that there are currently only 300 snub-nosed monkeys left in the wild. There have also been a few questions raised over its appearance and features. For example, if its nose makes them sneeze during the rainy season and gives their location away to predators, then why did it evolve its strange facial features?
Response
After reading this article, I felt disappointed to learn that we have just discovered such an interesting species, and it is already critically endangered and scarce in the wild. The logging companies should be more aware of the effect they are having on the local wildlife. There are hundreds (if not millions) of animals that we, as modern people in modern societies, don’t yet know exist. Meanwhile, these undiscovered species (which are unknown to us) have been known to hunters/locals for years in small villages or cities that have not undergone extensive development yet. Therefore, they don’t understand the fact that these animals are endangered and rare, but instead think of them as they have always thought of them; a source of food and materials. I’m also interested in the final thought at the end of the summary, if the monkey’s facial features result in a disadvantage which leads to its death, then why did it evolve as it did? I think that humans should try to capture a few and let them re-produce safely in custody or an environment which resembles their natural habitat. The advantage of this idea is that we can study the snub-nosed monkeys without any fear of death. However, there are also a few moral problems with this idea because we are taking the animals away from their natural habitat and that can’t ever be truly justified. This information affects me as a student because in biology we learn about evolution and researching a case such as this would be a perfect learning example for us. Despite its universal acceptance, the theory of evolution is still largely flawed, and any information we can gain on the process of evolution should be welcomed by researchers.
Source - MLA Format
Mcullum, John. "New Snub-Nosed Monkey Discovered, Eaten." Daily Nature and Science News and Headlines | National Geographic News. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 June 2012. <http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/10/101027-snub-nosed-monkey-sneezes-new-species-science-discovered-eaten>.
Recently discovered in Myanmar was a new species of monkey which has been named the "snub-nosed monkey" due to that fact that its nose is so snub that rainfall results in uncontrollable sneezing. Scientists first learned of this new species in 2010 from exotic hunters in the Kachin state (northern Burma). These new snub-nosed monkeys are characterized by their signature snub-nose, white wispy beard, prominent lips, ear tufts and a longer tail than its cousins in China and Vietnam. This monkey is already classified as critically endangered for various reasons. Hunters often kill and eat this species of monkey when no other meat is available. In rain season, these monkeys are very easy prey because their sneezing makes them easy to locate. Along with poaching, Chinese logging companies are destroying the snub-nosed monkey's habitat as well as killing it via landslides. When trees are removed from steep mountains, the soil around the roots is misplaced and may result in landslides which kill the monkeys. Also, the increasing amounts of human camps in Myanmar are leading to traps, weapons and the hunting of these monkeys. It is estimated that there are currently only 300 snub-nosed monkeys left in the wild. There have also been a few questions raised over its appearance and features. For example, if its nose makes them sneeze during the rainy season and gives their location away to predators, then why did it evolve its strange facial features?
Response
After reading this article, I felt disappointed to learn that we have just discovered such an interesting species, and it is already critically endangered and scarce in the wild. The logging companies should be more aware of the effect they are having on the local wildlife. There are hundreds (if not millions) of animals that we, as modern people in modern societies, don’t yet know exist. Meanwhile, these undiscovered species (which are unknown to us) have been known to hunters/locals for years in small villages or cities that have not undergone extensive development yet. Therefore, they don’t understand the fact that these animals are endangered and rare, but instead think of them as they have always thought of them; a source of food and materials. I’m also interested in the final thought at the end of the summary, if the monkey’s facial features result in a disadvantage which leads to its death, then why did it evolve as it did? I think that humans should try to capture a few and let them re-produce safely in custody or an environment which resembles their natural habitat. The advantage of this idea is that we can study the snub-nosed monkeys without any fear of death. However, there are also a few moral problems with this idea because we are taking the animals away from their natural habitat and that can’t ever be truly justified. This information affects me as a student because in biology we learn about evolution and researching a case such as this would be a perfect learning example for us. Despite its universal acceptance, the theory of evolution is still largely flawed, and any information we can gain on the process of evolution should be welcomed by researchers.
Source - MLA Format
Mcullum, John. "New Snub-Nosed Monkey Discovered, Eaten." Daily Nature and Science News and Headlines | National Geographic News. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 June 2012. <http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/10/101027-snub-nosed-monkey-sneezes-new-species-science-discovered-eaten>.