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Scientific Investigation in Colombia

NPC Colombia leads many studies and surveys of primates, including exploration of remote forest areas where few, if any, studies have been carried out before. As we often work with some of the lesser known and rarer species, much of this research concentrates on updating knowledge about the status and conservation needs of these species. The main objective is to obtain information to support the planning and design of effective conservation strategies.

Specific research work includes wildlife surveys and inventories, plant phenology, and studies on the basic behavioural ecology and habitat requirements of A. fusciceps rufiventris, as well as studies on other threatened sympatric species, such as the poorly known and little studied in Colombia, mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata) and Panamanian night monkey (Aotus zonalis). This work has led to the discovery of new populations of the endangered Colombian black spider monkey (Ateles fusciceps rufiventris), helped to update the international conservation status of the Panamanian night monkey (Aotus zonalis) from data deficient (DD) to near threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and the first long term population density estimates of Colombia’s pacific primates.

To encourage more conservation research and the development of primatology nationally, we offer free internships and thesis opportunities to students interested in working in conservation, especially in Colombia’s Pacific region.