Spider Monkey

Our endangered relative and their home

The last few days, I have been surrounded by wild monkeys. As I write, a spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi) is staring at me from a nearby tree. I stare back from this wooden house on stilts. Just two monkeys in trees staring at each other.

I’m working on my forthcoming book and writing on behalf of other animals in La Ceiba Nature Preserve, a lush primary forest that plays a key role in the reintroduction of animals rehabilitated by The Jaguar Rescue Center. Primary forest is classified as an area where there are no visible signs of human activity. Thus, this mature and untouched forest is the ideal place to locally release many of the animals that arrive at the JRC. Since 2018, The Jaguar Rescue Center has achieved 368 successful wildlife releases within La Ceiba. I’m very lucky to be here, too.

Sansa, a female Spider Monkey rescued at the Jaguar Rescue Center

The JRC's continuous monitoring of released animals - using field cameras placed in strategic locations - has revealed the presence of other species unique to pristine forests like La Ceiba including the endangered Puma (Puma concolor),the Central American Bushmaster (Lachesis stenophry), and my new friend, the Spider Monkey. 

Geoffroy’s Spider Monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) have evolved to be the biggest, strongest and most intelligent of all the Central and South American monkeys. Apparently (according to humans’ measure of intelligence) they are considered the third most intelligent non-human primate after orangutans and chimpanzees. Though I often wonder how intelligent humans really are. We are the only species destroying ecosystems that we and other species depend upon to survive.

Because of our so-called intelligent, destructive species, spider monkeys are the most threatened monkey in their native land. The IUCN estimates population declines of 50 or 80 percent in some spider monkey species in just over three generations. This is partly due to their slow reproductive rate of roughly 225 days (every 2 to 3 years) and their highly frugivorous diet. Since fruit is harder to find than leaves, they need larger territories than their relatives and are less able to adapt to land fragmentation. Almost entirely arboreal, a spider monkey’s fate is intertwined with the fate of the rainforest. In order to protect spider monkeys, we need to protect primary rainforests like La Ceiba. Their survival depends on it. 

Sansa, a female spider monkey who was found on the ground in Gandoca when she was a baby. When she was brought to the JRC, she appeared to be completely healthy but after a few weeks, the staff noticed that she was clumsier than a monkey her age should be. When she was examined, it was discovered that she had developed cataracts, making it difficult for her to safely swing between trees.

In addition to their ecological needs, spider monkeys are also subject to hunting and the growing illegal wildlife trade. Just last week someone was found in Texas with 7 spider monkey babies in their backpack. Throughout their history, the Jaguar Rescue Center has cared for more than 5,000 animals, many of them confiscated illegal pets. Spider monkeys among them.¹

The bottom line is that we can’t protect animals without protecting their habitat. There are few primary forests left, La Ceiba among them. Protecting living landscapes like La Ceiba — part of the Talamanca Biological Corridor² — is vital to combat climate change and preserve the natural habitat of thousands of species.

The loss of rainforest ecosystems affects everyone.³ When we destroy rainforests for big homes, vacation Airbnbs, more coveted wood or trinkets or more space to grow tropical fruits we like, we destroy ourselves.

So what can we do?

• Know where your food and produce comes from and how it was cultivated and grown. Non-organic produce like bananas (banana expansion was responsible for deforestation of over 50,000 hectares of primary and secondary forest in Costa Rica's nearby Limon Province) and pineapple cause incredible destruction. Every action has a reaction. We make an impact with every choice we make. Whenever you can, buy local, join a local CSA or better yet, grow your own produce or join/create a community garden if you live in an urban area. 
  

• Support the Jaguar Rescue Center in their efforts to purchase land for the animals. They are working to make this objective more clear on their website but for now, you can read more about it here and donate here. If you have a larger donation contact: info@jaguarrescue.foundation
  

• If you have connections to potential corporate sponsors, please let me or the Jaguar Rescue Center know. Their work is getting harder and harder as this area becomes more popular. 
  

• Share this post and spread the word.

1. Read this touching story about one of those rescues.

2. This corridor provides biological pathways for wildlife, connecting patches of rainforest and providing safe access to diverse resources in changing seasons. The Talamanca Biological Corridor is one of the most important endemic zones within Central America, connecting with the international Amistad National Park with Panama. These forests provide refuge for 60% of Costa Rica’s wildlife animals including 75% of the country’s known amphibian and reptile species.

3. The Jaguar Rescue Center is making efforts trying to acquire more primary forest to preserve as a secure permanent home for the area’s wildlife. You can help here.