With 25 species Malaysia has a high diversity of primates. The USM primate group has only recently been established and is committed to study Malaysian primates in the wild and captivity and working towards the conservation of endangered species.

Current research involves ecological and behavioural studies on wild Pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina, http://www.macaca-nemestrina.org) in Perak, population assessments of long-tailed macaques (M. fascicularis) and langurs (Trachypithecus obscurus) in Penang, and the initiation of a long-term study and conservation program on wild and captive orangutans (Pongo spp.) in Malaysia.

The USM primate group collaborates with several international and national institutions, e.g. Malaysian Primatological Society, International Primatological Society, Kyoto University and the German Primate Centre.