Wildlife Fund

There are over 500 species of primates, and over 65% of them are threatened with extinction. The major threats are deforestation, habitat degradation, poaching, disease, and small populations. Although primates receive a relatively large amount of conservation support, this is not the case across the group with species like the great apes and lemurs receiving far more attention than other species. The Milkywire Wildlife fund focuses on the more overlooked groups of species such as the Red Colobus of Africa, the primates of the Mentawai islands in Asia and the primates of Brazil’s Atlantic Forests.

Eastern Africa is home to unique ecosystems, such as the Eastern Afromontane, which hosts a multitude of endemic species not found anywhere else in the world, many critically endangered or vulnerable. However, the region faces severe challenges, including deforestation, wetland draining, and other habitat destruction, driven by rapid population growth, urbanization, and agricultural expansion. As human populations expand, conflicts between people and wildlife (like elephants raiding crops or lions preying on livestock) also pose major threats to wildlife. Wildlife tourism is a major revenue generator for several Eastern African countries. Protecting species ensures the continued viability of this industry, which supports local economies and funds conservation efforts.