Scientists who study primates say that we are moving towards a time when species like gorillas will no longer be found in the wild .
They say Orangutans would be gone too. And Madagascar would lose its lemurs.
Jo Setchell is a primatologist at Durham University in Britain. She studies primates, the group of mammals that includes gorillas, chimps, monkeys, gibbons, mandrills, and lemurs. And, of course, humans.
“So If we have 60 percent threatened with extinction at the moment, then we will see that number rise and within our lifetimes, within our children’s lifetimes, we will eradicate other primates.”
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Words in This Story
extinction – n. the state or situation that results when something (such as a plant or animal species) has died out completely
decline – v. to become lesser in number
primate – n. any member of the group of animals that includes human beings, apes, and monkeys
eradicate – v. to remove (something) completely : to eliminate or destroy (something harmful)
habitat – n. the place or type of place where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives or grows
conversion – n. the act or process of changing from one form, state, etc., to another
logging – v. to cut down trees in an area for wood
timber – n. trees that are grown in order to produce wood
funds – n. money
conservation – n. the protection of animals, plants, and natural resources
scale – n. a device to measure or weigh things
reversible – adj. able to be changed back to an earlier or original state