Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 12253768

Spider Monkey Conservation Project, Ateles hybridus, Caparo Forestry Reserve, Venezuela

Brown spider monkey Ateles hybridus is of particular interest for conservation. It is distributed in both Colombia and Venezuela, and considered Crtically Endangered due to habitat destruction. The spider monkey is included in the IUCN's 25 most endangered primate list.

In the absence of information and research on the spider monkey (Ateles hybridus) in Venezuela, Diana Duque began her doctoral research thesis attempting to determine the conservation status of this species. She is studying the historical distribution of the brown spider monkey in Venezuela, while also conducting a systematic survey to estimate its population density in the Caparo Forest Reserve.

The Caparo Forest Reserve, home to a small population of Spider monkey, is located on the western plains of Venezuela. In this reserve there are reminents of the seasonal forests that once occupied the plains of Venezuela and Colombia. This reserve is under extreme threat from deforestation. Therefore, the spider monkeys living in this reserve are also extremely threatened.

It is very alarming situation in the Caparo Forest Reserve. It once occupied an area of 184,100 ha, it has been reduced to 7,000 ha of continuous forest plus several small isolated forest fragments up to 150 ha. These forest fragments are surrounded by about 1,200 farms that use the land for livestock. Groups of spider monkeys have been found in some of these forest fragments during this project.

The threats of invasion, logging in natural forests and plantations for illegal timber extraction are seriously affecting the survival of the population in Caparo.

The primary aim of the project is to ensure the long-term conservation of the spider monkey (Ateles hybridus) and its habitat in the Caparo Forest Reserve.

Project objectives

•  Conducting scientific researchinto the ecology of the species, threats, habitat status, effects of forest fragmentation
• Training young researchers and local youth in the community on issues of ecology, environmental education and conservation
• Implement actions to conserve the populations and their habitat in the Caparo Forestry Reserve
• Raising awareness among local community about the importance of preserving this species and its habitat in the Caparo Forest Reserve
• Design and implement an environmental education program.