The Endemic Bale Monkey (Chlorocebus djamdjamensis): Distribution and Threat, A Review Paper

Abstract

The Endemic bale monkey (Chlorocebus djamdjamensis) is a little-known primate species recorded as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red list. Bale monkeys are believed to be confined to bamboo forest habitats, specializing on the young leaves of highland bamboo (Arundinaria alpina). Bale monkeys found at Harenna Forest (BMNP), Kacha and Rira area at altitude 2800 masl, and at Odobullu Forest, in the bamboo forest 23km northwest of Dodolla, and Djam-Djam Mountains near “Abera” area, a region east of Lake Abaya at about 3000 masl, Hagere Selam regions (Southern Nations Nationalities Region, Sidamo) and recently recorded at Geremba mountain of Arbegona Wereda (Southern Nations Nationalities Region, Sidamo Zone). The species inhabit a wide range of habitat types including savannah, woodland forest, grassland and riverine forests and are generalists inhabiting different habitat types and feeding on different food sources. The range of this species is less than 20,000 km² with severe fragmentation and there is continuing decline due to ongoing habitat loss and degradation. Habitat destruction, agricultural land expansion, and human settlement are major threats of the species.

Keywords: Anthropogenic, Conservation, Habitat, Mammals, Threats