Author: neoprimate

Neotropical Primate Conservation (NPC) is a registered charity dedicated to the conservation of primates and their habitats in South and Central America.
BIG NEWS!

BIG NEWS!

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We are really excited to share with you the launch of Neotropical Primate Conservation Argentina, the latest member of the NPC family, joining NPC UK, NPC Peru, and NPC Colombia!

Over the coming weeks we will be updating the site with information about the primates, people, and projects which will form part of this new stage in our work.

Argentina is home to five species of primate, which inhabit different forest types in the northern part of the country, especially in the provinces of Formosa, Chaco, Corrientes, Misiones, Salta, Jujuy, and Santa Fe. Some of these species are threatened with extinction, including the brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans) which is listed as Critically Endangered in Argentina, and listed as one of the world’s 25 most threatened primate species. Similarly, the spectacular black and gold howler monkey (Alouatta caraya), Azara’s night monkey (Aotus azarae), and Azara’s capuchin (Sapajus cay) are all listed as Vulnerable in Argentina, and the black horned capuchin (Sapajus nigritus) which is listed as Vulnerable in Argentina and Near Threatened by the IUCN. Habitat loss and hunting are the main threats these species, and understanding their ecological and conservation needs will be priorities for our work.

Argentina has a long history of investigation in the field and lab based studies on genetics, hormones, and parasites, and is one of the most advanced countries in the neotropics with regards to primatology. Studies have been, or continue to be, carried out by researchers at all levels in academia, and perhaps most importantly there has been an increase in the number of students carrying out their Ph.D. research at different field sites in the country. A legacy we aim to build on in our work.

Parrot Rescued!

Parrot Rescued!

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It’s not just primates! At NPC, we believe that all species should live freely in their natural habitat. That’s why we help rescue of any animal we find being trafficked.

Today we were able to help the wildlife Authorities in Moyobamba to transport a young parrot that was captured from the wild. Its wings had been cut so it wouldn’t fly away.

If all goes well it will be one of the lucky ones and be able to return to the wild once its feathers have grown back.

Tamarin Rescued!

Tamarin Rescued!

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Yesterday we received a call for the Regional Environmental Authorities in Moyobamba, asking our help in rescuing a tamarin (Leontocebus sp.), which appeared to have been abandoned and tied to an avocado tree in the city.

Together with officials from the regional authority, our team caught and untied the animal, transporting it to the nearby offices of the authorities. The animal is now receiving its veterinary evaluations, while we try and find a suitable rescue centre for re-homing. We hope that this sad tale will at least serve as a reminder to everyone that wild animals are not pets!

Monkeys Rescued!

Monkeys Rescued!

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Last Saturday our volunteers alerted us to a large headed capuchin monkey (Sapajus macrocephalus) on the roof of a house in Moyobamba. The monkey was possibly a pet that had escaped from a nearby house.

We informed the Regional Environmental Authorities, who immediately seized the animal. The same day, the authorities also received a squirrel monkey (Saimiri sp.) which was handed in voluntarily by the person who found it.

For now, both monkeys are being kept by ARA until an appropriate rescue centre is able to receive them. We have been helping feed and care for both animals as well as taking them for their veterinary checks.

Luckily both monkeys are in good health, although they are very attached to people. We are very grateful to the team of ARA – Moyobamba for her quick and decisive action in this case.

Wild Animals are not Pets!

Film Makers at NPC Peru

Film Makers at NPC Peru

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Since last week NPC Peru hosted independent French film makers Alexandrine Cabarbaÿe and Firmin Jondot from Rêv-Earth.

The couple is travelling Latin America, documenting conservation initiatives to call attention to the different projects. A few weeks ago they visited our team at NPC Colombia.

During their stay with us, they accompanied our team during all of our activities, filming our work and interviewing us about conservation in northern Peru. We are very thankful to Rêv-Earth for the invitation to take part in the documentary.

As soon as we have the edited version in hand we will share it here, and remember to check out the Rêv-Earth page to learn more about their work.

Camera Trap Photos from Pabloyacu Reforestation Site

Camera Trap Photos from Pabloyacu Reforestation Site

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We’ve had some great camera trap photos lately, this time from Pabloyacu, Moyobamba. This is the site where we are starting reforestation work with the Universidad Nacional de San Martín.

The camera traps are part of our effort to get baseline information on species diversity and abundance in the area, for comparisons with future monitoring to see what impact reforestation has on local wildlife.

The star of the show for us this time is the Tamandua (ant eater)! It’s also really great to see peccaries, these species show that although the area is very near to the city and heavily impacted, hunting pressure is low.

Good News for the Gran Simacache Conservation Concession!

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Amazing News!

After 10 years of fighting we have finally managed to broker a peace between the local conservation association protecting the 40,000 ha Gran Simacache conservation concession and a group of land invaders who entered the are at the same time the area was being declared.

This process has been at times very difficult and even dangerous, involving threats against ourselves and the local conservationists, many fruitless attempts to force the environmental authorities and prosecutors to act against the invaders, and a halt to most protection activities in large parts of the reserve due to safety issues.

In 2017 we changed our approach, looking to work together with the invaders as allies in protection of the area in exchange for an end to all legal process against them. After many false starts and the turmoil caused by the pandemic, at 4:00 pm yesterday afternoon, Franklin Panduro, the president of the local conservation association and, Lorenzo Vela, the president of the invaders group, accompanied by about 60 villagers and association members, and witnessed by representatives of the regional environmental authorities and NPC, finally signed an agreement which puts an end to the conflict!

The agreement includes the ceding of a portion of the area for the invaders to use for their family farms, and the offer of work as park guards on patrols or participation in reforestation and other social development projects.

In exchange, there will be an immediate and permanent cessation of hunting and deforesting in the entire reserve as well as unhindered access to the area by the conservation association. We are very grateful to all those who have helped and supported us in this fight, and we are now looking forward to continuing to protect this amazing area and all the species that call it home.

Joint Meeting of Conservationists

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This weekend we participated in joint meeting of global conservationists working together with local people to ensure conservation of many threatened species and habitats. The meeting was organized by our long time allies, the NGO “Community Conservation” with the idea of seeing how to further spread the successes of these projects and how we can all support each other in our work. We look forward to seeing this work develop in the future!

Spider Monkey Rescue

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Rescued spider monkey
Rescued spider monkey

Yesterday we helped the ARA San Martin with a rescued baby Peruvian spider monkey (Ateles chamek). This animal was kept as a pet and confiscated in northern San Martin, far outside of its distribution. We were asked by the authorities to help with the transport and medical tests before being sent to a rescue centre in Loreto, in it’s natural distribution. Sadly this is this is not an isolated case and even during the pandemic we are finding animals illegally trafficked around Peru.