In the Lens of the Endangered: Roloway Monkey

Are the signs of mass extinction still not evident to you? When I swing across the branches and settle in the canopies of the remaining trees, I think about how so many things have changed in the past few years. In these times where I ponder, I realize that you, the renowned “superior beings”, are to be blamed. You are at fault because you flippantly abuse the environment and its natural resources and assume these effects are insignificant. Has it not occurred to you that your actions have consequences? The visible lack of trees, the rampant elimination of all types of animals, and the degradation of the environment are all effects of your actions. We are facing an alarming state of environmental instability, and still, you choose to pursue endeavors that only benefit you and your kind.

I am, as what you have named me, a roloway monkey. For most of my life, I have fostered pride in being this kind of monkey. I’ve always thought roloway monkeys possess undeniable uniqueness and distinctive beauty. This is because we have slender bodies that have a deep grey hue. What’s interesting is that our backs and our thighs have a completely different color from the rest of our bodies. Our backs are reddish-brown and our thighs are a faint yellow. We have elegant and strong tails of great length, sometimes becoming longer than our own bodies. We use these tails to “grip on branches as added security”. To me, these descriptions are an honor to have because these make us different from all the other primates present in the world. These differences make us feel beautiful and special because it feels as though we are one of a kind and a rarity.

However, that pride has sadly degraded to fear. What I used to boast to all the animals in the forest are now things I want to conceal for my own safety and security. The disadvantage of being different is that us, roloway monkeys are easily distinguished, making us immediate targets for your hunting activities. The horror of the things you have done to the other roloway monkeys has left me petrified and afraid. I have witnessed how you have captured roloway monkeys and sold them to people. I have also seen you murder other monkeys and trade them amongst you. You have treated us as if we are mere commodities. You have manipulated our marks of beauty and used it for your advantage.

We have drastically reduced in number because you have endlessly hunted us down and taken away our homes. Countless men have come back and forth to our area and have chopped down tree after tree. It is apparent to me that your goal is to simply clear out the forests, and you have done this through illegal logging, What’s worse is that it’s not enough that your actions are not in accordance with your own law, but these things are for your immediate gratification and convenience. You build immense towers and edifices that ruin nature’s systematic cycles. This is a clear sign of ignorance and selfishness. From where I see it, your insensitivity has blinded you from all the consequences of your actions.

You see, us Roloway monkeys live lives that are simple and undisruptive to the environment. Although we are “social and interactive”, we “prefer residing in areas undisturbed.” You can find us in the “forests of Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and other remote places in West Africa”. You can usually see us swinging across branches of trees, passing by other monkey's homes, or searching for fruits, insects, leaves, and seeds that we can eat. The life we live is characterized by simplicity. How can we enjoy our lives if even the little things we have is constantly stripped away from us? What probes me to think about these things is the fact that we have done nothing wrong to deserve such ill-treatment from you. It saddens me that although these things are no secret to you, you still continually do what’s detrimental for us and the ecosystem as a whole.

I used to think that the idea of the extinction of other species was scary, but it was a distinct, eerie terror I felt when I realized extinction was happening to my own kind. At present, the Roloway monkeys are far from a stable population. In fact, we are on the verge of complete extinction. It’s reached the point that any little alteration in the environment could cause all our lives. This cannot settle well within me because this implies that there is a literal struggle for existence, not only for us Roloway monkeys but for all organisms present in the world. By the looks of it, it will take a miracle to reverse the effects that humans you have made.

Many of you do not understand that the impacts of your actions are of greater weight than the efforts you make to reverse them. This is because more often than not, the impacts your actions create are immediately felt by us, not you. No matter what angle you look at it from, the rest of the planet is the one who has the short end of the stick. It angers me to think that it does not bother you in the least that you have been repetitively bringing injustice to us. I refuse to believe that this is what you want to be known for. Although my anger towards you is at its peak, it is beyond me to discredit your efforts in rectifying your wrongs.

I observed with great joy how the communities in Ghana and other parts of Africa are working hand in hand in order to conserve the remaining forests in Ghana. It started with the growing of new trees to compensate for the massive loss of trees brought about by illegal logging and deforestation. It then evolved in to the communities calling out people to stop cutting trees down, and let the animals be. This was an incredible sight to witness because this means there are some of you who are concerned with the welfare of the environment. It also means that there is hope for all of us. I saw the chain reactions of the negative things you have done, and it has discouraged me over and over again. However, because of these developments that are being made, I am elated and expectant to see the fruits of your good deeds.

From what I have heard, also your government is now involved in conserving the forests. That means that there are now laws that aim “to protect species, landscapes, and ecosystems.” Because of this, more and more people around the world will be enlightened about the importance of saving the environment. You have also made buildings not anymore for your personal consumption, but for the conservation of several animals including us roloway monkeys. This excites me and puts me in high spirits because more of you now are taking us animals more seriously. You are beginning to value who we are and our roles in regulating the environment.

Despite the trouble you have caused, I can say that the efforts that you are pouring in conserving my kind and other kinds of animals are appreciated. They are not in vain because not only do they benefit us, but you as well. In times like this, it is important to recognize that the people who are environmentally concerned should not be the minority. If your goal as humans is the planet's eventual restoration, it must be imperative for all of you to work on means to alleviate the impacts you have made. I refuse to accept that the greater population will rely on the minority in hopes that there will be change. I refuse to believe that you would adhere to this toxic mindset because that would be evidence of absurdity, a contrary to the standard that is bestowed upon you.

Like any animal present on the planet, there is an ineffable feeling to see an abundance of your own kind. Sure, they may be a plethora of differences within us, but there’s peace of mind that is made knowing that there are animals who you identify with. The bonds, family, and the relationships made in all of these are indispensable. Despite so many disheartening experiences, I still dream of a world that can foster all kinds of life. The idea of seeing men protecting the forests and its trees and actually giving care towards us animals leaves an indescribable kind of exhilaration. It’s a dream I want so badly to happen, but its fulfillment is dependent on you.

I do not want to die clinging on anger. Instead, I want to leave thankful that you have brought about change within you and the planet. This is because this is not just a mere display of infuriation but it is a genuine cry for help. If there is anyone who knows how to change the world and its situations, it is you, the humans. I beg of you, do something because there is not much time left. I speak not only for me and the roloway monkeys, but for all of the animals, please do not fail us.