The Southern Patas Monkey (Erythrocebus baumstarki) is a critically endangered primate endemic to East Africa, with an alarming population decline that places it at risk of becoming the first primate extinction on mainland Africa if immediate conservation actions are not undertaken. Historically, this monkey occupied a range of about 66,000 km² across southern Kenya and northern Tanzania, particularly in regions like the Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Arusha (De Jong et al., 2009; De Jong & Butynski, 2021). However, its habitat has been reduced by approximately 85% due to human-driven factors such as habitat degradation, fragmentation, and resource competition, which have restricted the species to small, isolated populations within Tanzania’s Serengeti ecosystem, with fewer than 100 mature individuals estimated to remain (De Jong & Butynski, 2021). Adapted to semi-arid, open acacia woodlands, the Southern Patas Monkey relies heavily on specific tree species like the Whistling Thorn Acacia and Balanites for food and shelter, displaying unique adaptations for terrestrial movement, including the ability to run up to 55 km/h (Isbell & Young, 2007; Hall, 1965). However, its survival is increasingly compromised by habitat loss due to expanding agriculture, charcoal production, and urbanization. Additionally, human-livestock competition for water sources, illegal grazing, snaring, and predation by domestic dogs further threaten the species (Loishooki et al., 2016; De Jong & Butynski, 2021). Addressing this crisis, recent studies stress the need for targeted conservation measures, such as habitat protection, the establishment of secure water sources, and community-based conservation efforts (De Jong & Butynski, 2021). The Serengeti ecosystem provides a critical opportunity for studying and protecting the last remaining populations. This research aims to address knowledge gaps on the distribution, population structure, and threats facing the Southern Patas Monkey, providing essential data to guide conservation interventions for this critically endangered primat

The Southern Patas Monkey (Erythrocebus baumstarki) faces significant conservation challenges that have escalated its risk of extinction. Habitat loss and fragmentation are among the most pressing threats, driven largely by agricultural expansion, charcoal production, and infrastructure development. Land conversion for agriculture encroaches on the monkey's natural habitats in the Serengeti and surrounding regions, leaving them with increasingly limited spaces to survive and reproduce (De Jong et al., 2009; De Jong & Butynski, 2020). Charcoal production, which continues to deforest large swathes of woodland, has compounded this issue, removing critical habitat and further fragmenting the species' range (Loishooki et al., 2016). Additionally, infrastructure development, such as roads and urban expansion, disrupts monkey populations by dividing habitat areas and isolating groups, heightening their vulnerability to extinction (De Jong & Butynski, 2021; Holt, 2021). Resource competition with livestock also threatens the Southern Patas Monkey, especially during the dry season when livestock graze on the same limited food and water resources, depriving the monkeys of essential sustenance (De Jong & Butynski, 2020). Unregulated grazing within protected areas worsens this scarcity, degrading habitat quality and reducing food availability (De Jong & Butynski, 2021). In addition to resource competition, indirect poaching and snaring pose serious risks. Although not the primary targets of hunters, Southern Patas Monkeys are often caught in snares intended for other animals, resulting in injuries and fatalities (Holt, 2021; Loishooki et al., 2016). As these monkeys venture closer to human settlements in search of resources, they are increasingly at risk from snares and traps set by farmers and hunters, escalating human-wildlife conflicts (De Jong & Butynski, 2020). Domestic dogs add to these predation pressures, as they frequently attack and kill monkeys, particularly during crop raids (Loishooki et al., 2016; Holt, 2021). Water scarcity further jeopardizes the survival of the Southern Patas Monkey. Natural water sources within their habitat are limited, a situation worsened by human activity and climate change. With restricted access to water, monkey populations become even more isolated, reducing their chances of survival and reproduction (De Jong & Butynski, 2021; Holt, 2021). Compounding these threats is the lack of local and international awareness regarding the monkey's critically endangered status. This species has received limited conservation attention, leading to an absence of dedicated resources and protective measures (Holt, 2021; De Jong & Butynski, 2021). Insufficient monitoring and research also hinder effective conservation planning, as inadequate data on population trends, habitat use, and threats limits the development of targeted strategies for population recovery (De Jong et al., 2009; De Jong & Butynski, 2020). Immediate actions are essential to mitigate these threats, including habitat protection, resource management, and community awareness, to secure the future of this critically endangered primate.

"To assess the current distribution, population dynamics, and primary threats to the critically endangered Southern Patas Monkey (Erythrocebus baumstarki) in northern Tanzania's Serengeti ecosystem, and to develop targeted conservation strategies to support its long-term survival."