Sclater's guenon

Sclater's guenon, also known as Sclater's monkey or the Nigerian monkey, is a captivating Old World monkey first described in 1904 by Reginald Innes Pocock and named in honor of Philip Sclater. This diurnal and arboreal primate inhabits the lush forests of southern Nigeria. It is distinct from the white-throated guenon, which also occurs in Nigeria and Benin. Initially believed to be a subspecies of the red-eared guenon, Sclater's guenon primarily consumes fruits but also feeds on other plant materials and insects, similar to its close relatives.

For many years, Sclater's guenon was presumed to be nearly extinct, but in the late 1980s, several small populations were discovered between the Niger and Cross Rivers in southern Nigeria. This region is part of the Guinean Forests of West Africa, a critical biodiversity hotspot. Although these monkeys do not inhabit officially protected areas, three populations are safeguarded by local communities who hold them sacred.

Despite these community protections, Sclater's guenon faces significant threats from hunting, habitat fragmentation, and habitat loss, leading to a decline in their numbers. Consequently, they are classified as a vulnerable species.

In captivity, Sclater's guenon can only be found at the Centre for Education, Rehabilitation, and Conservation of Primates and Nature in Cross River State, Nigeria.