The Conservation of Northern Muriqui

The Conservation of Northern Muriquis by Fahim Kadir

Fig.1 A Northern Muriqui2

Fig.1 A Northern Muriqui2

Northern Muriquis are primates found in the Atlantic forest of the states of Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo and Bahia in Brazil(Fig. 2).1 They are also scientifically known as ‘Brachyteles hypoxanthus’. Muriquis live in trees and are active during the day. They mostly eat leaves and fruit .They also eat twigs, seeds, bark, flowers and some insects during the rainy season.5 Their prehensile tail allows them to hang from trees. They are born with black faces, as they age their faces become mottled as Fig.1 shows. They can be distinguished from southern muriqui by their visible thumbs.

Problem

The IUCN’s(International Union for Conservation of Nature)red list classified Northern Muriquis as critically endangered. In 2005 they found 855 individuals left in 12 sites: 6 on private land, 3 in federal protected areas and 3 in state protected areas1. The species have suffered a population decline greater than 80% over the past 60 years.5 The Northern Muriquis population is low which suggests that they are at risk of extinction.

Fig.2 Map showing the distribution of Northern Muriqui in Brazil3

Fig.2 Map showing the distribution of Northern Muriqui in Brazil3

Fig.3 Table showing Northern Muriqui population 4

Fig.3 Table showing Northern Muriqui population 4

Threats

Illegal hunting for food and sport occurs. Since Muriquis are the largest new world primates (primates that live in South America) they are considered highly valued trophies to hunters. Hunting can have a devastating effect on small populations of Northern Muriqui, especially when adults are targeted and the population’s structure becomes disrupted.6 “protected parks and reserves are still illegally hunted because there are too few guards to mount effective patrols. Those that have managed to survive in private forests…remain dependent on the goodwill of the owners and their heirs. None of these populations...