Tana River Red Colobus
Procolobus rufomitratus (Peters, 1879)
CR B1+2abcde, C2a

Previously considered a subspecies of Procolobus badius, the Tana River red colobus is now regarded as a full species confined to the remnant gallery forests of the lower Tana River in Kenya, where it has been the subject of scientific study since 1972. This monkey is closely related to several red colobus forms to the west. Censuses during the 1990s put the total number of Procolobus rufomitratus between 1,100 and 1,300, about 40% of which are found within the 171 km2 Tana River Primate National Reserve. Less than 100 groups inhabit perhaps three dozen small and scattered forest patches. Outside the reserve, remaining forest patches are still threatened by conversion to agricultural land, burning, and the effects of irrigation and hydroelectric projects in this region. P. rufomitratus is listed as Critically Endangered based on its occupancy of a small area that is severely fragmented, and the current rapid destruction of its habitat.