Incredibly Unique Animals: Sanje Mangabey

The forests of Tanzania are home to hundreds of endemic animal species - those found no where else in the world. If we are to ensure the existence of these unique species we must protect their remaining habitat - something ARC has been doing for over twenty years. Every Wednesday, we will profile a different endemic species to give a peak into the amazing wildlife you can find in Tanzania’s forests.

Our past features include:  The Kipunji Monkey, Lesser Bush Baby, Red Colobus Monkey, Grey Faced Elephant Shrew, Pemba Flying Fox, and Udzungwa Forest Partridge. Today, we introduce you to the Sanje Mangabey.

Range
This unique monkey is found only on the eastern slopes of the Udzungwa Mountains, Tanzania in the regions of the Mwanihana Forest and Udzungwa Scarp Forest Reserve. Eleven other primates, two of which are endemic and one near-endemic, can be found in the Udzungwa Mountains, making it surely one of the most important sites for primate conservation in Africa.

Description
The Sanje Mangabey (Cercocebus sanjei) is a species of old world monkey of the white eye lid mangabey group. It is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is also listed as one of the top 25 most endangered primates in the world. Scientists estimate that there are less than 1,300 individuals remaining, separated into only two distinct populations. The Sanje Mangabey prefers to stay in the lower understory of submontane and montane forest since half of its time is spent foraging for food on the forest floor. This practice often finds it in highly disturbed and fragmented areas of the forest. Fruits, nuts, seeds, plants, herbs, and bark make up the Sanje Mangabey's diet. It is a social animal, and lives in groups from fifteen to upwards of forty individuals.

Check out this short clip of this beautiful monkey in the wild.

Threats and Solutions
This species is highly threatened due to increasingly degraded habitat from logging for timber and coal production. People hunting them for food is also a major issue. The fact that this species forages on the ground makes it an easy target for people who often use dogs to hunt them down. However, there is hope for this unique animal. Its habitat coincides with one national park and one reserve and although they are not fully protected, they give this animal a fighting chance at survival.

Sources:
IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group
IUCN Red List
Mangabey Madness

Image Source: Marc Veraart