The Tana River Primate National Reserve, established in 1976, was created to protect the unique riverine forests along the lower Tana River in southeastern Kenya. These forests are the exclusive habitat of two critically endangered primate species: the Tana River red colobus (Piliocolobus rufomitratus) and the Tana River mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus). The reserve also supports a rich diversity of wildlife, including over 262 bird species and more than 57 mammal species.
In 2007, the High Court of Kenya ruled that the reserve had not been properly established according to Kenyan law, leading to its degazettement and the removal of its official protection status.
Wikipedia This decision has raised concerns about the conservation of the endangered primates and the preservation of the unique biodiversity in the area.
Despite the degazettement, conservation efforts continue. Local communities and conservation organizations are working together to protect the remaining forest patches and the endangered species that inhabit them. However, challenges such as habitat loss due to agricultural expansion and human encroachment persist, threatening the survival of these primates and the ecological integrity of the region.
The Tana River red colobus and the Tana River mangabey are both listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Conservationists emphasize the need for effective habitat protection and sustainable land-use practices to ensure the survival of these unique primates and the preservation of the Tana River’s rich biodiversity.
