KIPUNJI
Rungwecebus kipunji
Geographic Distribution and Habitat
The kipunji, sometimes called the highland mangabey, is an Old World monkey endemic to Tanzania. There are two main populations—one in the highland forests of the Ndundulu Forest Reserve, and another in the Rungwe-Kitilo forest in southwestern Tanzania. Kipunjis are found exclusively in protected areas. They prefer the shelter of the forests and avoid open spaces, even if the forests where they make their homes grow thin due to logging. Their populations become fragmented as their habitat degrades. The New York Times calls the kipunji “Africa’s rarest monkey”—not to mention that it was only discovered in 2003!
The kipunji, sometimes called the highland mangabey, is an Old World monkey endemic to Tanzania. There are two main populations—one in the highland forests of the Ndundulu Forest Reserve, and another in the Rungwe-Kitilo forest in southwestern Tanzania. Kipunjis are found exclusively in protected areas. They prefer the shelter of the forests and avoid open spaces, even if the forests where they make their homes grow thin due to logging. Their populations become fragmented as their habitat degrades. The New York Times calls the kipunji “Africa’s rarest monkey”—not to mention that it was only discovered in 2003!
Kipunji geogrphic range, so small it is barely perceptible on this map. Credit: Chermundy and IUCN
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What Does It Mean?Altricial:
Infants of a species who are still not fully developed, and must be cared for by their parents. Diurnal: Active during daylight hours. |
Size, Weight, and Lifespan
Kipunjis can reach up to 35 in (90 cm) in length, and typically weigh between 22 and 35 lb (10-16 kg). Because they were so recently discovered species, there is no definitive information about their lifespan; however, scientists have estimated—looking at similar species—that they could potentially live as long as 45 years.
Appearance
The kipunji’s tail is longer than its body. Its hair, on the whole, is a light brown color—though it grows darker at the hands and feet, and white at the chest and tip of their tails. Their faces are hairless and black, and there is no differentiation in appearance between the sexes. The species bears a resemblance to baboons, and the two are related, but the kipunji is of its own genus: Rungwecebus, derived from the mountain where so many of these monkeys live.
The main difference between the baboons and the kipunji was the shape of their skulls. At first, scientists believed kipunjis to be a species of mangabey, and some call them African or highland mangabeys, but after DNA testing they were given their own genus. This genus, Rungwecebus, is the first new genus in Africa since 1923. Some scientists, however, are still unsure if this new genus is legitimate.
The kipunji’s tail is longer than its body. Its hair, on the whole, is a light brown color—though it grows darker at the hands and feet, and white at the chest and tip of their tails. Their faces are hairless and black, and there is no differentiation in appearance between the sexes. The species bears a resemblance to baboons, and the two are related, but the kipunji is of its own genus: Rungwecebus, derived from the mountain where so many of these monkeys live.
The main difference between the baboons and the kipunji was the shape of their skulls. At first, scientists believed kipunjis to be a species of mangabey, and some call them African or highland mangabeys, but after DNA testing they were given their own genus. This genus, Rungwecebus, is the first new genus in Africa since 1923. Some scientists, however, are still unsure if this new genus is legitimate.
© Tim Davenport / WCS. Used with permission.
Diet
The first study of the kipunji’s diet was published in 2010; they subsist mainly by eating plants. The primary species consumed was Macaranga capensis var. capensis—also known as iphubane, unompumelelo, and umfongafonga, among other names. During the dry season, kipunji depend more on leaves for their diet; in the wet season, they depend more on fruit. Beyond fruit and leaves, they eat bark, moss, seeds, fungi, and even soil.
The first study of the kipunji’s diet was published in 2010; they subsist mainly by eating plants. The primary species consumed was Macaranga capensis var. capensis—also known as iphubane, unompumelelo, and umfongafonga, among other names. During the dry season, kipunji depend more on leaves for their diet; in the wet season, they depend more on fruit. Beyond fruit and leaves, they eat bark, moss, seeds, fungi, and even soil.
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Behavior and Lifestyle
Kipunjis live in large groups—between 10 and 35 monkeys. Within these groups, there are typically only two infants, which rely on their troops for protection and care. Kipunjis are shy monkeys. Some scientists believe this trait contributed to their going undiscovered for so long—that, and the fact that humans rarely venture into the areas where kipunjis live. They are diurnal tree-dwellers and are rarely found on the ground. In the trees, they do their best to remain out of sight. These monkeys have a very limited range—researchers used GPS to track 34 groups of kipunji and found that they remain within a range of 6.8 sq mi (17.7 sq km). Scientists have also found that some kipunji populations have cross-bred with baboons. |
Fun FactsThe kipunji wasn’t discovered until 2003. It is among the newest named African monkey species, and the first new monkey genus to be named since 1923. |
Daily Life and Group Dynamics
Because kipunjis are so shy and elusive, little is known about their day-to-day lives. What can be gleaned from the research is that they are largely sedentary—they do not move around all that much—and that they live in large groups. If anything, this dearth of knowledge emphasizes the need to protect this species, so more can be learned.
Because kipunjis are so shy and elusive, little is known about their day-to-day lives. What can be gleaned from the research is that they are largely sedentary—they do not move around all that much—and that they live in large groups. If anything, this dearth of knowledge emphasizes the need to protect this species, so more can be learned.
Communication
The kipunji’s vocalizations are extremely unique, and have been described as a “honk-bark.” Tim Davenport, who has been at the forefront of kipunji research, explained it as a “goose followed by a dog.” These monkeys also “chirp.” The meanings of these vocalizations are unclear, and they have only been observed in the kipunji population found in the southern highlands.
The kipunji’s vocalizations are extremely unique, and have been described as a “honk-bark.” Tim Davenport, who has been at the forefront of kipunji research, explained it as a “goose followed by a dog.” These monkeys also “chirp.” The meanings of these vocalizations are unclear, and they have only been observed in the kipunji population found in the southern highlands.
© Tim Davenport / WCS. Used with permission.
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Our GratitudeMany thanks to Tim Davenport for providing and permitting our use of his stunning kipunji photos.
TIM DAVENPORT NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY Dr Tim Davenport, Country Director, WCS Tanzania Program, PO Box 922, Zanzibar, Tanzania, Africa Contact: tdavenport@wcs.org |
Reproduction and Family
Little is known about the kipunji’s reproduction habits. We do know that females display genital swelling when in estrus, that they are group-dwelling monkeys, and that infants, like many primate infants, are helpless, or altricial, meaning they depend upon adults for basic necessities and protection. In 2013, a rare photograph of a baby kipunji was taken, along with its mother, who, despite having lost her hand in a snare, still cared for her baby.
Low genetic variability is a concern, and within large groups of kipunjis, small numbers of young are observed. As mentioned before, there is evidence of cross-breeding between kipunji and baboons, though this only exists in the DNA of monkeys who live in the southern highlands. Kipunjis found in the Udzungwa Mountains, however, have no traces of baboon DNA. While this does not reveal much about the reproduction habits of these primates—breeding between different species isn’t exactly uncommon—it is valuable knowledge within the context of conservation efforts to protect these monkeys. Some scientists speculate that the kipunji has a hybrid origin.
Little is known about the kipunji’s reproduction habits. We do know that females display genital swelling when in estrus, that they are group-dwelling monkeys, and that infants, like many primate infants, are helpless, or altricial, meaning they depend upon adults for basic necessities and protection. In 2013, a rare photograph of a baby kipunji was taken, along with its mother, who, despite having lost her hand in a snare, still cared for her baby.
Low genetic variability is a concern, and within large groups of kipunjis, small numbers of young are observed. As mentioned before, there is evidence of cross-breeding between kipunji and baboons, though this only exists in the DNA of monkeys who live in the southern highlands. Kipunjis found in the Udzungwa Mountains, however, have no traces of baboon DNA. While this does not reveal much about the reproduction habits of these primates—breeding between different species isn’t exactly uncommon—it is valuable knowledge within the context of conservation efforts to protect these monkeys. Some scientists speculate that the kipunji has a hybrid origin.
Ecological Role
Like many monkeys who eat a mainly herbivorous diet, the kipunji’s feeding habits likely contribute to seed dispersal.
Like many monkeys who eat a mainly herbivorous diet, the kipunji’s feeding habits likely contribute to seed dispersal.
Conservation Status and Threats
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The kipunji is listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, appearing on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN, 2018), and faces many threats: The forests it calls home are degraded, due to logging and other practices. Nudundulu Forest, one of the reserves where this monkey is found, is in good condition, but Mt. Rungwe, the mountain from which this monkey’s genus is derived, is not. It isn’t managed, even if it’s designated as a reserve. As these forests become more fragmented, so too do kipunji populations, and this drastically reduces their chance of long-term survival. These animals also face predation from leopards and eagles, and are sometimes hunted by humans, illegally, since they occasionally raid crops for food. There are an approximate 1,100 wild kipunji left—most of which live in the southern highlands. If a serious effort is not made, these newly discovered primates will be gone before we can learn anything more about them. In 2006, just three years after discovery, this species was listed among the world’s 25 most endangered primates, made the list again in 2008, and yet again in the 2018-2020 report.
In 2018, after a census conducted by the Wildlife Conservation Society of Tanzania reveal more individuals than previously estimated, the kipunji's conservation threat was down-listed from Critically Endangered to Endangered, however its small population continues to be negatively impacted by hunting and habitat loss. |
Conservation Efforts
The fact that the kipunji was so recently discovered, and is of its own genus, means it is even more paramount that we do all that we can to protect it. Estimations indicate that, without proper protection, the species could go extinct in anywhere from 20 to 50 years. If these monkeys are to survive, then Mt. Rungwe must be prioritized. Efforts to raise awareness that this monkey exists, and to emphasize its importance, are key—before it is too late.
The fact that the kipunji was so recently discovered, and is of its own genus, means it is even more paramount that we do all that we can to protect it. Estimations indicate that, without proper protection, the species could go extinct in anywhere from 20 to 50 years. If these monkeys are to survive, then Mt. Rungwe must be prioritized. Efforts to raise awareness that this monkey exists, and to emphasize its importance, are key—before it is too late.
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20204672
- https://www.ispotnature.org/communities/southern-africa/species-dictionary/29353/macaranga-capensis-var-capensis
- https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/oryx/article/critically-endangered-kipunji-rungwecebus-kipunji-of-southern-tanzania-first-census-and-conservation-status-assessment/6CB47F8B4EC342D066611C012073C876/core-reader
- https://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/08/080804-rarest-monkey.html
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091111123606.htm
- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4759535.stm
- https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Rungwecebus_kipunji/#lifespan_longevity
- http://science.sciencemag.org/content/308/5725/1161.full
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/136791/0
- https://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/05/rare-look-at-a-baby-kipunji-one-of-the-worlds-most-endangered-monkeys/?mtrref=www.google.com&assetType=opinion
- https://www.britannica.com/animal/kipunji
Written by James Freitas, July 2018
