Mining Threatens African Great Apes

• 09 Apr 2024

Source: DTE

A recent study published in the journal Science Advances has highlighted the grave threat posed by mining to the great ape population in Africa.

• The study indicates that more than a third of the entire great ape population in Africa, nearly 180,000 individuals, faces direct or indirect threats from mining activities.
• Approximately 20% of critical habitats intersect with mining areas. Countries such as Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Guinea show significant overlaps between great ape habitats and mining sites.
• Bonobo (Pan paniscus); Chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes); Eastern Gorilla (Gorilla beringei); Western Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla), and orangutans (Pongo) are referred to as great apes due to their large size and humanlike features. Great apes are a taxonomic family of primates classified as Hominidae.
• According to the IUCN Red List, all great ape species are listed as Endangered or Critically Endangered.

Read more: India's Only Ape Species: The Hoolock Gibbon