Olive (Van Beneden's) Colobus

The olive colobus monkey, also known as the green colobus or Van Beneden's colobus, is a fascinating primate belonging to the family Cercopithecidae. It is the smallest among the colobine monkeys, and spotting one in the wild is quite rare due to its camouflaged fur and shy nature. These monkeys inhabit the lush rainforests of West Africa, spanning from southern Sierra Leone to Nigeria. Unfortunately, they are considered vulnerable according to the IUCN Red List, primarily because of habitat destruction and hunting.

In terms of appearance, the olive colobus is a small mammal with greenish-brown fur that aids in camouflage within the forest. A distinctive feature of this species is their reduced thumbs. Their diet consists mainly of young leaves, classifying them as folivores. Socially, these monkeys exhibit complex behaviors. They live in small groups that include several breeding males, females, and their young. Interestingly, they often associate with other monkey species, such as the Diana monkey, which may help them evade predators and locate mates.

Conservation efforts for the olive colobus include protections under CITES and the African Convention on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. They also benefit from residing in protected areas like Taï National Park. Despite these measures, illegal farming and hunting still pose significant threats. To help secure their future, we need stricter law enforcement, educational programs, and more research on these elusive primates.