SPIDER MONKEY CONSERVATION

The Black Spider Monkey is a species which is extinct in the region of the lower Madre de Dios River in Puerto Maldonado.  This local extinction is due mostly to strong anthropic pressures in the past (hunting, loss and disturbance of habitat).  But since 2011 a population has been re-established in the area, and it is currently stable and growing.  This is thanks to the efforts of the Taricaya Wildlife Rescue Centre, the support of government entities (Tambopata National Reserve and wildlife authorities of Madre de Dios) and Kawsay Biological Station. 

Unfortunately there are still many young, orphaned or injured spider monkeys arriving at the rescue centre all the time, meaning that the human pressure in other parts of the Madre de Dios region is still very strong.  We need your help to continue our work, to be able to give these animals the opportunity to return to the forest which they should never have been removed from.  Our goal is to re-establish this species on the right bank of the lower Madre de Dios River.  For this we offer a unique experience where you can participate in all stages of the process, from rehabilitation of the young animals to the monitoring of the released monkeys, and you can learn about two organisations and their professional staff who work directly together to ensure the survival of this incredible species.  
Taricaya Wildlife Rescue Centre
This is the place where new animals arrive, are rehabilitated and are prepared for their release.  Here you will accompany the rescue centre team, helping in the daily activities (feeding, cleaning, enrichment), and you will learn about the efforts necessary for the rehabilitation of an individual, how the troops are formed, behavioural evaluations, and other related activities. 
​Kawsay Biological Station
With the Kawsay team you will be immersed in the forest to monitor and study the re-established troops of monkeys.  You will put your field skills to the test during long walks, crossing over swamps and creeks, learn to use GPS techniques, orientation skills within the forest, and help in the collection of data regarding behaviour patterns, diet, habitat use and populational dynamics.  
​General Activities
  • Help with daily rescue centre tasks (feeding, management, enrichment)
  • Assist with the care of sick or infant animals
  • Collection of data for captive behaviour
  • Monitoring and study in the wild
  • Theoretical studies in the classroom and practical lessons
Requisites
  • Over 18 years old
  • Motivated
  • Able to work well in a team, and under field conditions
  • Good physical and mental condition
  • Basic English and/or Spanish
  • Own travel insurance 
  • Payment (depending on time spent at the project)
TIME PERIODS
  • 2 weeks (1 week Taricaya – 1 week Kawsay) ......US$850
  • 3 weeks (10 days each place)....................................US$1300
  • 4 weeks (2 week Taricaya – 2 weeks Kawsay) .....US$1600
  • After the first month extra week Taricaya or Kawsay...US$300​
We offer
  • Collection from the airport in Puerto Maldonado
  • Transport between the stations
  • Accommodation in Taricaya and Kawsay (shared rooms with private bathrooms)
  • 3 meals per day
  • Equipment and materials necessary for the work
  • All necessary training
  • Certificate of participation as a volunteer or for work experience for university course ​​
Before buying your flights and organising your trip, please consider that the boat will be leaving from Puerto Maldonado to Kawsay and Taricaya every wednesday and sunday at 3:30pm;  the boat will return to the town every wednesday and saturday at 9:00am.  At the weekends you have the option to stay in the town of Puerto Maldonado, where you will find hotels, restaurants, launderettes, wi-fi, etc. (not included in the cost), or you may stay at the stations. You may also take part in other activities which take place in each station
Important information
  • The Black Spider Monkey is the largest primate to be found in the Madre de Dios area
  • This is the first primate re-introduction program in Peru which if officially recognised by local authorities
  • The established troop currently consists of 13 individuals which have been in the wild again since 2011 and 2014
  • Until now, 7 monkeys have been born to this group in the wild, the most recentl of which occurred in April 2018
  • More groups are being prepared for release in the following years, to form a metapopulation in the area, so that this re-introduced population may sustain themselves
  • The re-introduced spider monkeys are not only important for the sake of re-establishing populations of this species in the areas where they have become locally extinct, but also for the role they play in the regeneration and maintenance of forests which have been impacted by humans but are currently within protected areas
​Characteristics and Ecological Importance
  • This is a species threatened with extinction which is considered Endangered by the IUCN and also under peruvian law
  • They are most affected by the loss and destruction of habitat, hunting for consumption and sale of products, and the capture of live animals for sale in the pet trade
  • They are considered specialists in ripe fruits, as these fruits can make up from 57% to over 87% of their diet
  • The species is considered an effective and important seed disperser due to their large territiories and also because the seeds which they consume with the fruits are defecated almost entirely intact
  • In highly impacted forests where there are little to no populations of frugivorous vertebrates such as large primates, the regeneration of trees which normally depend entirely on these animals for seed dispersal is threatened, and in the long term this can result in a significant decrease in their abundance or possibly the local extinction of these species of trees
  • Spider monkeys contribute to the genetic exchange, maintenance and regeneration of the ecosystems where they live
here you can find more information and publications
bello-2018-_comportamiento_de_monos_arañas_reintroducidos.pdf
File Size: 22981 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
bello_et_al._2018._importancia_del_monitoreo_post_liberacion.pdf
File Size: 1089 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Carrasco-Bello 2019. Demographic Dynamics reintroduce spider monkeys.pdf
File Size: 8825 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Media
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Kawsay Center - Madre de Dios - Perú

www.kawsaycenterperu.org

Phone - Whatsapp
[email protected]