The nature of the problem associated with Ateles geoffroyi panamensis is that it has been endangered since 2008. With the current trend, they are facing extinction at an increasing yearly rate. According to IUCN Redlist, its “habitat loss across has been (categorized as) severe…” and “…it is estimated that the species has declined by as much as 50% over the course of the past 45 years (three generations)” (IUCN). The environment in which these monkeys live is beginning to vanish as weathering and human interference increases. These monkeys also face pet trafficking and being hunted by humans.
Their primary habitat preference is lowland rain forest and deciduous forests such as Central America. Spider monkeys are highly suspensory and travel in the upper level of the forest. Although they do inhabit the middle and lower layers, they are not seen frequently in the lower levels. They spend a majority of their time moving by brachiation and swinging back and forth through the branches. Spider monkeys are frugivores which means that they feed on the fruit that which the trees they inhabit provide. This can sometimes become a relationship of mutualism in which the monkey spreads the seeds from the fruit that the forest provides. The majority of their diet consists of leaves, flowers, seeds, fruit, and sometimes, small insects such as termites.
Spider Monkeys are perhaps the largest of the New World monkeys. Their limbs are of great disproportion to the rest of their body, which ultimately gave rise to their common name. Their incredibly long prehensile tail- a tail that has been adapted for grasping objects- serves as a fifth arm. Spider monkeys use their tail as their balance when walking and drag their arms, which is unique to all other monkeys. Spider monkeys do not have opposable thumbs, but they are long and thin, which makes them freely agile. Spider monkeys live in large nomadic groups consisting of around 20 monkeys. During the day, spider monkeys divide into smaller groups closer to 8 monkeys, which classifies as a fission-fusion society. In a fission-fusion society, primates will sleep together in large groups at night and break off and venture in smaller groups during the day. The strongest type of bond recognized in this group is the mother-offspring relationship.
To communicate, spider monkeys use their body position and voice. When they feel threatened, they will climb out to the end of the branch and furiously shake the branches to scare away the threat. Spider monkeys can live for up to 22 years in the wild and the females reproduce every 3 to 4 years. In reproducing, the female chooses the male with whom to mate. Females will have only one offspring that she will carry around her stomach for the first month after birth, and then move the offspring to her back for a period of time. Mothers are very attentive and protective of their young.
The Ateles geoffroyi panamensis (Spider monkey) became vulnerable in the early 1980’s, but didn’t become classified as endangered until 2008. The endangerment of this species has risen due to an increase in hunting/poaching by humans, and habitat loss. With a low reproductive rate and life span, the Spider monkey is quickly diminishing against the threats to its survival. Since they travel in large groups and are very loud, they are easy to locate and capture. This species lives in the canopies of the forest, and with an increase in deforestation, their homes are being destroyed which leaves makes them extremely vulnerable to poachers. Another factor contributing to their extinction is chemical pollution. The chemicals that are given off are killing the forests and ultimately killing their homes and polluting the air they breathe. Although the endangerment of the Ateles Geoffroy monkey is slowly rising, there are many attempts that have been made to reverse this trend in the past few years. Places in Mexico like The Jungle Place, provide food, shelter, and care to rescued spider monkeys that have been affected by hunters, pet trade, and habitat loss. There are many South American zoos that also provide safe habitats for the spider monkeys that have been affected as well.
Trying to protect the habitat in which these monkeys thrive is also an approach being made in order to save this species. However, this approach is not able to provide a permanent solution as the rate of habitat destruction is increasing. The most effective approach being made and has shown the most success for the future is “word of mouth.” The more awareness that is spread concerning this issue, there will be more help to end the endangerment of this species so that they can flourish and help our Earth grow.
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