Geladas Going Up and Up
- 28 Jul 06, 05:24 PM
Chadden Hunter works with gelada baboons in the Ethiopian Highlands and with his colleagues is discovering they are going higher and higher up the mountain - and it's not long before "gelada's might lift off the mountain".
Gelada baboons are a stunning looking species of monkey that live in high altitude communities in remote parts of the Ethiopian Highlands. They are famous for their heart shape piece of skin on their chest, which flushes a deep red colour when males are dominant. This species of baboon is dependent on a fragile mountain habitat that is composed of grass species that are very sensitive to ambient temperature. Climate warming - Chadden says - has seen this habitat go up the mountain 30 metres in 30 years. Already the gelada baboons are on many of the mountain plateaux, following their only source of food up the mountain. It just requires another hike in the temperature "say another 7 degrees and the shift in altitude will lift the gelada off the mountain". The mountains are about 4000 metres high, and Chadden tells us there are a few more peaks left on which nightly frosts prevent the grass growing, but with a temperature hike the grassland habitat might invade. But, mountain species live as if they were island species. There are few places for this amazing creature to go.
We have a great interview with Chadden - right in front of gelada baboons giving us the detail of this story. Another reason to listen out for PEuT in the Autumn.
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I never ceased to be amazed by nature's "blind alleys". That doesn't mean we shouldn't strive to conserve and save them. Excuse me while I play devil's advocate. The species that rely on one type of food or a rare and shrinking habitat open that question that humans will never answer to their satisfaction. Are they destined to become extinct as dinosuars and other species have or do we try to preserve everything? How many species that were once rare now thrive due to the effects of global warming? I doubt they are as strikingly beautiful as the gelada baboons are. Fabulous pictures.
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We in New Zealand greatly appreciate the quality of ±«Óãtv Radio 4
Keep up the good work
All the best for 2007
Carrick and Norina Lewis from Wellington New Zealand
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Dear Chadden
I teach biology in danish secondary school, and in an attempt to make teaching material on global warmings influence on african wildlife (a website with diverse material on the subject) I am planning a trip to Ethiopia. This, ofcourse, is also aspired by my life long admiration of the amazing gelada.
Now my question: Are the geladas accessible and is it advisable to hike the plateaus to se them, disturbance wise. Which population would you chose. I am used to mountain hiking, so the physical challenge is less of a problem.
Best regards
Ole Zoltan
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