Adorable 3.5OUNCE African primate the Taita mountain dwarf galago is caught on camera for the first time in nearly 20 years as the species faces extinction
- Taita mountain dwarf galagos live in forests in the Taita hills of southeast Kenya
- The little primate species was first noted in 2002, but had been elusive since
- Researchers from the University of Helsinki spotted them using special cameras
- Unfortunately, the mountainous forest habitat of the Taita galago is under threat
An elusive and adorable tiny primate weighing just 3.5 ounces has been captured on camera for the first time in nearly 20 years — as it battles extinction.
Taita mountain dwarf galagos — which have their homes in the Taita Hills of south-east Kenya — live in relatively cool mountain-side forests in small family groups.
They have distinctive calls which they use to communicate and that experts use to distinguish them from other dwarf galago species, all of which look similar.
Galagos are also known as ‘bush babies’.
The first recorded encounter with a Taita mountain dwarf galago was reported back in 2002, but no sightings of the elusive creature had been made since then.
Unfortunately, the creatures are threatened by loss of their mountain-side forest habitats, which have suffered from being cut down and destroyed in fire.
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An elusive tiny primate weighing just 3.5 ounces has been captured on camera for the first time in nearly 20 years — as it battles extinction. Pictured, a Taita mountain dwarf galago
WHAT IS THE TAITA MOUNTAIN DWARF GALAGOS?
The Taita mountain dwarf galagos is a tiny primate that lives in the Taita Hills of southeast Kenya.
Each typically weighs around 3.5 ounces — and lives in the forest canopies some 164 feet above ground.
The elusive little creature was first spotted back in 2002, but had not been seen by scientists since.
They are known to feed on cicadas, moths, safari ants and other insects.
They are believed to be at risk of extinction, thanks to threats to their forest habitat in the form of deforestation and fires.
The sighting was made by biologist Hanna Rosti of the University of Helsinki, who works at the institution’s Taita Research Station in Wundanyi, southeastern Kenya.
‘The tropical forest is magically beautiful at night, but one is lucky to catch even a glimpse of the tiny creatures,’ said Ms Rosti.
To spot the dwarf galagos in the forest canopy — which can reach up to 164 feet (50 metres) above ground level — the researchers used a red light which is not visible to the animals themselves.
‘Dwarf galagos make agile jumps from tree to tree and feed on moths, cicadas and other insects.’
‘I have seen them hunting above ground-dwelling safari ants, where they obviously take advantage of insects fleeing from the voracious ants.’
Unfortunately, the tiny little primates are under threat — and scientists fear that they may be on the verge of going extinct.
‘The future of Taita mountain dwarf galagos and other endemic animal and plant species depends on the future of native montane forests of the Taita Hills,’ said botanist Jouko Rikkinen, also of the University of Helsinki.
‘The conservation status of the forests must be strengthened and their area should be expanded by planting native trees in areas destroyed by cutting and fire.’
‘This will protect galago habitats and will ensure that the montane forests continue to provide many vital ecosystem services.’
Taita mountain dwarf galagos — which have their homes in the Taita Hills of south-east Kenya — live in relatively cool mountain-side forests in small family groups
The director of the Taita Research Station, Petri Pellikka, says that the diversity of the Taita Hills will never cease to amaze him.
‘The mountains represent a living laboratory, with great possibilities for ground-breaking research and fascinating new findings,’ he added.
Many of the species here are unique and have evolved in isolation in this global biodiversity hotspot.
The full findings of the study were published in the journal Oryx.
Taita mountain dwarf galagos — which have their homes in the Taita Hills of south-east Kenya — live in relatively cool mountain-side forests in small family groups
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