(CNN) A new report reveals that primates are facing an impending "extinction crisis," with 60% of all primates now at risk of extinction.

The research, published in the journal Science Advances, assessed the conservation status of 504 species of nonhuman primates and found that three-quarters of the world's primate species are undergoing an "alarming" population decline.

The primates are a diverse order that include apes -- our closest biological relatives -- as well as monkeys, lemurs, lorises and tarsiers.

Endangered primate species identified in the report include (left to right) the Golden snub-nosed monkey, Eastern hoolock gibbon and Marmoset.

"The situation turns out to be worse than most of us thought going in," the study's co-author Dr Paul Garber, professor of anthropology at the University of Illinois told CNN. "Primates worldwide are facing mass extinction."

"It was surprising to learn that the rate of decline was so high," agrees the study's other co-author, Dr Alejandro Estrada, a senior research scientist at the Institute of Biology, National Autonomous University of Mexico. "This is of great concern as the figures suggest that we may be reaching a tipping point -- or perhaps we are already there."

Human activity to blame

All of the current threats to primates, including habitat loss, bushmeat hunting and the illegal pet trade, are being driven by human activity, researchers said.

"The destruction of habitat extinguishes resources such as shelter, food and water, divides social groups, and also leaves primates open to the risk of predation and contamination from pathogens," Estrada said.

Activities such as mining, industrial agriculture, cattle ranching, oil drilling and logging are all responsible for dramatic deforestation in the tropical forests inhabited by primates.

"There are a lot of multinational corporations working (in these areas) and their goal is to extract resources as quickly and as cheaply as they can," says Garber. "No matter which industry, there is rarely an attempt made to do it in a way that is sustainable."

Estrada tells CNN that he wants the research to be a "call for global action to the scientific community at large, and to the public and policymakers to prevent this before it is too late."

"If we are going to save these primates in the next few decades, it's going to need governments to start working with the business communities. It can't be business as usual or these species are going to go extinct," adds Garber.

Habitats destroyed for palm oil

There are several primate species already on the precipice of extinction.

The Miss Waldron's red colobus , which resides in southern Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire, has not been seen by primatologists in 25 years.

The Javan slow loris is another leader in the current race to extinction, due largely to illegal trade. The same applies many langurs in Asia, lemurs in Madagascar, orangutans in Southeast Asia and gorillas and chimpanzees in Africa.

Photos: Back from the brink: Lemurs of Madagascar Wildlife hotspot – There are 106 known species and subspecies of lemur in Madagascar, including the Coquerel's sifaka (pictured). Tracking them is a thrilling adventure through a landscape of vast contrasts and changing climates. Hide Caption 1 of 15 Photos: Back from the brink: Lemurs of Madagascar Verreaux's sifaka lemurs – Lemurs inhabit lush tropical rainforests, spiny dry forests, semi-arid desert canyons and cool central highlands. However, their habitat is under threat due to deforestation. Hide Caption 2 of 15 Photos: Back from the brink: Lemurs of Madagascar Bamboo lemur – Lemurs are thought to be the most threatened mammal group in the world, with most species facing extinction. Hide Caption 3 of 15 Photos: Back from the brink: Lemurs of Madagascar Hubbard's sportive lemur – Some species are teetering right on the brink. The northern sportive lemur is believed to be down to just 60 animals. Hide Caption 4 of 15 Photos: Back from the brink: Lemurs of Madagascar Black-and-white ruffed lemur – After 93 lemur species were put on critical, endangered or vulnerable watch lists in 2013, conservation experts drew up a three-year emergency plan requiring $7.6 million. Hide Caption 5 of 15 Photos: Back from the brink: Lemurs of Madagascar A hubbard's sportive lemur – The political landscape in Madagascar has changed following the 2014 elections, and there is increased optimism regarding international investment. Hide Caption 6 of 15 Photos: Back from the brink: Lemurs of Madagascar Indri lemur – Indri are the largest living species of lemur. The creature's Malagasy name is "babakoto," meaning "ancestor" or "father." Hide Caption 7 of 15 Photos: Back from the brink: Lemurs of Madagascar Ring-tailed lemur – The ring-tailed lemur is the most recognizable species, due to its distinctive black and white ringed tail. Hide Caption 8 of 15 Photos: Back from the brink: Lemurs of Madagascar Panther chameleon – Madagascar is home to 8,000 species that are not found in the wild anywhere else on the planet. Hide Caption 9 of 15 Photos: Back from the brink: Lemurs of Madagascar Parson's chameleon – Madagascar broke off from mainland Africa around 150 million years ago and the island was cast adrift in the Indian Ocean. Isolation proved fertile breeding ground for evolution. Hide Caption 10 of 15 Photos: Back from the brink: Lemurs of Madagascar Chameleon – Almost half of the world's chameleon species live on Madagascar. Like the lemur, their habitat is threatened by deforestation. Hide Caption 11 of 15 Photos: Back from the brink: Lemurs of Madagascar Camouflage – Chameleons are famed for their ability to change color to blend in with their surroundings. This helps them to evade predators. Hide Caption 12 of 15 Photos: Back from the brink: Lemurs of Madagascar Mossy gecko – The mossy leaf-tailed gecko is endemic to Madagascar. It can also change its skin color to match its environment. Hide Caption 13 of 15 Photos: Back from the brink: Lemurs of Madagascar Anja Reserve – Anja Reserve was dedicated protected land in 2001 and is now the most visited private reserve in the country. Hide Caption 14 of 15 Photos: Back from the brink: Lemurs of Madagascar Andasibe-Mantadia National Park – Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is home to 11 lemur species, but is most celebrated for its population of indri lemurs. Hide Caption 15 of 15

The Sumatran orangutan population has also slid dramatically over the last 10 years, with only 14,500 now remaining. The swampy forests that they inhabit are increasingly being cut and drained for palm oil production, one of the most damaging practices currently affecting primate habitat around the world.

Consumers who seek to mitigate their impact on primate populations can choose to buy FSC-certified wood and paper products, as well as avoiding products containing palm oil -- a major contributor to habitat destruction.

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"Palm oil is most notably in soap, but it's even things like chocolates, most margarines and a lot of ice creams," points out Colin Groves, professor of biological anthropology at The Australian National University.

"Consumers need to do a lot of squinting to find out if a product has palm oil listed on it -- it's sometimes listed as its scientific name, Elaeis guineensis. You need to be vigilant".

Primates are a key indicator of the overall health of the ecosystems in which they reside. Their decline is a red flag not only for other animals, but also for humans.

"If we keep degrading and polluting habitats to such a degree that our biological relatives cannot live there, eventually humans will not being able to live there either," says Garber.

"We need to understand it's ultimately in our best interest to do something. Once the monkeys and apes go, it's only a matter of time before there are some major catastrophes for people in these areas. People won't be able to survive there either."