The Golden Monkey is a species of old world monkeys found in the Virunga mountains of Africa, including four national parks, Mgahinga, Uganda, Volcanoes, Rwanda, Virunga and Kahuzi-Biega, in the eastern democratic Republic of Congo. The golden monkeys vary in size between 58 to 75 centimeters. Their fur color is gold and they have a blue face. Humans are their main predator and they hunt them down for their furs. Speaking of humans, the monkeys are only pregnant for 5 months rather than 9 months like humans.This species was thought to be a subspecies of the Cercopithecus mitis, which are very similar, but the golden monkey contains a golden-orange patch on the upper flanks and back. They spent most of their time in trees.Not much is known about the golden monkey's ecology and behavior. It lives in groups of up to 30 individuals. Its mainly diet contains leaves and fruit, though it is also thought to eat insects. The recent wars and destruction of their unique habitat, the golden monkey is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. There are only around 20,000 golden monkeys left on earth.

Golden Monkey Natural History

The golden monkey were thought to be extinct until 1962. They are now endangered because of habitat destruction by humans. This is becoming an overlying them of the relationship between animals and humans like the giant panda is endangered for the same reason. Tree removal is a major reason why these animals are endangered because their lifestyle revolves around them. They eat off bark and lichen and the decline of trees, decreases the amount of food available for the monkeys. They also eat fruit and bugs that also live on the trees. The trees are an important ecosystem and many animals live there and so when they are cut down, the ecosystem there falls.The golden monkey is found in highland forests. The Golden Snub-nosed Monkey lives in China and it is also hunted for its fur. This need for their fur brought them to where researchers thought they were extinct. These monkeys live in cold areas and keep warm by their fur.

China has put protective measures to help the monkeys. China and other programs have set up a program to ensure the monkey's protection and helping them not become extinct. For example, they track the monkeys, protect their homes, and ask people to help them. Spreading the word about conservatism is important so that people are aware that they should not cut down more trees in their habitat and understand the consequences by education them of the animal's needs.