Red monkey V (Tanzania, Zanzibar)

The Zanzibar red colobus ( Piliocolobus kirkii ) is an endemic species found nowhere else on Earth. Long considered a pest by farmers, it has now become a symbol of conservation in the Tanzanian archipelago, particularly in the Jozani Forest , the only protected area where its population is slowly recovering.

Recognizable by its copper-colored back , this primate has several surprising characteristics. Its almost thumbless, hook-shaped hand allows it to move nimbly in the canopy. Its diet is mainly composed of young leaves , sometimes rich in toxic alkaloids. It digests them using a compartmentalized stomach , similar to that of ruminants. It has also been observed practicing geophagy , consuming charcoal to neutralize the toxins present in certain mangroves.

Locally, locals call it kima punju , the "poisoned monkey," believing its flesh to be unfit for human consumption. This cultural misunderstanding, combined with recent conservation efforts, has likely contributed to its survival .

This photograph was selected by the international gallery 1X.com , for its aesthetic and documentary value .