New species of monkey just discovered in Amazon could be made extinct by raging fires

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A completely new species of marmoset monkey that was discovered just weeks ago, is now believed to be at significant risk due to the fires which continue to burn through the Amazon rainforest. One fire runs directly through the newly-found marmoset’s range, Mr Araújo told charity Flora & Fauna International, citing Nasa satellite data. "And this year’s fires are burning much more habitat of all southern Amazonian marmosets than in past years.” Mr Araújo added the setting of the fires which have swept through swathes of the Brazillian Amazon this year was “politically motivated”. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events He said Brazil's right wing president Jair Bolsonaro had "been systematically dismantling the country’s framework for monitoring and preventing deforestation, cutting the budget of the national environment agency, refusing absolutely vital international support … and proposing the relaxation of environmental However, he added that the discovery of the new marmoset could have a positive impact by causing a review to be held into the construction of major hydroelectric power plants, which are all within the species’ range.