Rampant development threatens Cambodia's precious monkeys

Unchecked development could threaten two rare monkey species that were recently discovered in Cambodia's remote northeast, international researchers said yesterday.

Land concessions for plantations and mining near the Seima Biodiversity Conservation Area could threaten the survival of the black-shanked douc langurs and yellow-cheeked crested gibbon that live there, Conservation International said.

"The future of these primates will depend largely on government commitment to maintaining the habitats in which they live," said Ben Rawson, a primatologist with the US-based group.