The Rarely Sighted Primates of Rwanda : The primates of Rwanda are a diverse and interesting group. They include several species of monkeys, as well as baboons and lemurs. This article will focus on Rwanda’s most rarely sighted primates, their distribution, and the unique characteristics of each primate.
Golden monkeys
Golden monkeys in Rwanda are found in a number of different locations including: the Ruhengeri Volcanoes National Park, Kibuye Forest, and the Virunga National Park .A golden monkey is a species of primate found in the forests of central Africa and is exclusively found in Rwanda, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Golden monkeys are one of the most interesting and unusual primates on earth. They are the only primates that have a permanent golden coat. This coat is made up of a layer of golden hair on the monkey’s body and a thicker, shinier coat of gold-colored fur on its back. Golden monkeys live in large groups in the forests of central and west Africa.
Blue monkeys
Blue monkeys are a type of primate found in Africa and are exclusive to the Albertine Rift Valley region which includes Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. Blue monkeys have distinct blue and white fur. Although they share similar characteristics with other species of monkey, blue monkeys are unique because of their coloring and distinctive facial markings. In Rwanda these blue monkeys can be found in the Eastern Province of the country.
Grey-cheeked mangabey
Grey-cheeked Mangabeys are a type of primate that can be found in Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). These Rwanda primates have a distinctive gray color to their face which gives them their name. Their faces are also marked with black spots giving them the nickname “clowns of the forest”. Like most other primates, they are omnivorous which means they eat both plants and meat. They live in small groups of around 10 individuals and their groups usually consist of one dominant male and two to four females.
The olive baboon
The Olive Baboon is an African primate. They are omnivores and primarily feed on fruit, leaves, nuts and berries. In Rwanda, they can be seen on the ground among high trees in the forests of Akagera national park or on the rooftops of houses in the city of Kigali. Historically they have sometimes been kept in zoos and parks but they have become highly endangered in the wild due to deforestation and human encroachment into their habitat. Their distinctive character is owed to a black stripe from their eyes to their ears. It is believed to be an adaptation that allows them to hide in plain sight.
Vervet monkey
The vervet monkey is a small species of primate that is found throughout eastern and central Africa including Kenya, Tanzania, Angola, Mozambique and Rwanda. It is found in tropical forests as well as open grasslands and it is able to adapt to a wide range of habitats. The vervet monkeys in Rwanda have a characteristically long tail with black and white rings on the end. They are Old World monkeys of the family Cercopithecidae native to Africa. They are an important food source for other animals such as leopards, lions and hyenas. They are also a popular tourist destination on Rwanda safaris due to their entertaining antics and friendly disposition.
Eastern gorilla
A gorilla is a large ape belonging to the genus Gorilla of the family Hominidae, distributed mainly in Africa. In Rwanda, these primates are found in the southern province of Rubavu on the slopes of the Virunga volcano and the bamboo forests of Kivu province. There are three types of gorillas found in Rwanda, the mountain gorilla, the western lowland gorilla and the eastern lowland gorilla. All are critically endangered due to poaching and loss of habitat due to the deforestation of the rainforest. Eastern gorillas are unique in their coloration, with a grey back and a red chest. They live in family groups of up to 25 individuals and are extremely intelligent and social creatures.
L’Hoest’s monkey
L’Hoest’s monkey is a primate found in tropical forests of central Africa including the countries of Rwanda and Cameroon. They can easily be spotted by their black faces with white rings around the eyes. Their large bushy tails also make them easy to identify. These monkeys inhabit dense areas of forest and rarely come into contact with humans. In Rwanda they can be found in the western part of the Akagera National Park. They spend most of their time in the trees where they forage for food and travel in groups of up to thirty members led by a dominant male.
Hamlyn’s monkey
The Hamlyn’s monkey, also known as the owl-faced monkey, is a species of Old World monkey that inhabits the bamboo and primary rainforests of tropical East Africa. These monkeys are small and have small heads with small eyes, pointed ears and long bushy tails. They have a fur color of green on their backs and white on their stomachs and chests. This monkey is diurnal which means it is active during the day and sleep during the night. In Rwanda they can be found in the northern parts of the Volcanoes national park living in the bamboo forests where they live in large family groups with a dominant female leading the group. The Hamlyn’s monkey feeds mainly on fruit but can also eat leaves and bark when they are available.
