Kirk's red colobus  (Piliocolobus kirkii)

Kirk's red colobus is a relatively small member of the group of leaf-eating monkeys known as ‘colobines', subfamily Colobinae (2). This attractive monkey has a dark red to black coat above, with a paler underside and distinctive pink lips and nose (4). The black face is framed by a crown of long white hairs (4), and the body terminates in a long tail used in balancing (2). This species is named after Sir John Kirk, the British Resident to Zanzibar who first identified this attractive dweller of the island (5).

As its other name suggests, this species is found on the island of Zanzibar. The population is worryingly small today and it is estimated that as few as 1,000 to 1,200 individuals persist, mainly within the Jozani Forest Reserve (6). A small number of individuals live on nearby Pemba Island, in the Ngezi Forest Reserve (7).

Originally found in tropical evergreen forest, which has now been largely destroyed, these monkeys may now also be found in a range of secondary forest, agricultural land and fallow bush (4).

Zanzibar red colobus are found in large gregarious troops of 5 to 50 individuals. Family groups tend to consist of a single male, a small number of females and their young, and these break away from the main troop in order to forage. Groups spend the majority of their time in the treetops, foraging for leaves and fruit (5), although near to human settlements a few individuals have developed a taste for charcoal (8).

Births take place throughout the year and a single offspring is born after a gestation period of around five months. The infant is carried by its mother through the trees for up to three months (9).

Vast tracts of Zanzibar's native forest have been destroyed for timber, development and agriculture, leading to a devastating decline in the population of this native monkey; it is believed that fewer than 1,500 individuals persist today. Following the destruction of its rainforest habitat this species seems to be coming into increasing contact with humans, fortunately local people appear to tolerate its presence (6).

The Zanzibar red colobus requires full legal and practical protection if viable populations are going to persist. This attractive species has recently proven to be a popular tourist attraction within the Jozani Forest Reserve and this interest may offer some hope for its future survival (6).

Authenticated (30/04/05) by Matt Richardson, independent primatologist and writer.