New population of Critically Endangered monkey discovered
Jeremy Hancemongabay.com
November 22, 2010
Native to the cloud forests of north-eastern Peru, the yellow-tailed woolly monkey was thought extinct until it was rediscovered in 1974. The new population has been found in an area where the monkey has not been recorded for decades. The global population of the yellow-tailed woolly monkey has been estimated at less than 250 individuals.
 Habitat loss, such as deforestation pictured here, is one of the main causes behind the yellow-tailed woolly monkey's decline. Photo courtesy of NPC. |
The monkey's survival is threatened by deforestation, encroaching agriculture, and bushmeat hunting. The area is also known for cocaine smugglers and communist rebels, increasing the difficulty of research and conservation efforts.
Despite such difficulties, NPC works closely with local people to help save the species from extinction.
"Local communities are enthusiastic about cooperating and even initiating conservation work. They make us very optimistic for the future of this very special monkey," says Noga Shanee, another co-found of NPC. The organization has also established a reforestation project in the area.
An adult yellow-tailed woolly monkey flashes the yellow of its tail for which it is named. Photo by: Shachar Alterman.
Hope for the future? A juvenile yellow-tailed woolly monkey. Photo by: Noga Shanee.
Yellow-tailed woolly monkey habitat: the Andean forests of north-eastern Peru. Photo by: Sam Shanee.
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