Why is the Ituri Forest important for primate diversity?

The Ituri Forest is significant for primate diversity because it supports the greatest variety of primates of any comparable area in the world.1

This high level of biodiversity is largely attributed to the forest's unique environmental structure. The region features a mosaic of diverse habitats—including climax vegetation, secondary forests at various successional stages, river valleys, and swampy areas—created by both natural features and traditional slash-and-burn cultivation practices. This varied landscape provides essential cover and food sources for a wide range of mammals, including numerous primate species.1

Among the primates found in the Ituri are terrestrial anubis baboons, leaf-eating imperial black and white colobus monkeys, owl-faced monkeys, and chimpanzees. Protecting these populations is a critical ethical priority, as the forest faces ongoing threats from poaching and habitat destruction, which have been further exacerbated by regional civil strife.1