Endangered monkey family gives hope for the Amazon

Rare spider monkeys have found refuge in a once logged but now regenerating rainforest in the buffer zone of Manu National Park, Eastern Peru.

“Be careful and watch where you put your hands!” shouts Bethan - fellow wildlife enthusiast - as she hurdles a fallen tree, rotting and covered in a thick blanket of moss - an ideal snake habitat. We are off-trail and following the calls of a spider monkey family deep into the rainforest interior. This endangered species have returned to an area of regenerating secondary rainforest, which just 30 years ago was used intensively for cattle grazing and growing crops.

Spider monkey high in the canopy, Photo Creds: Billy Stockwell

These creatures are characterised by their long spider-like limbs and jet black colouration, but most notably their prehensile tail capable of grasping branches and acting as an extra arm whilst swinging through the rainforest canopy - perfect for their arboreal lifestyle.

Above our heads beams of light break through the darkness of the understory; leaves are set alight by the sun’s rays as they fall to the ground, hinting that our furry cousins must be close. 

Spider monkeys live in groups of 30-50 individuals but mostly forage in subgroups during the day, depending on social group dynamics and food availability. Groups are matriarchal, led by an alpha female who controls all the troop’s subgroups. They are said to be the most intelligent New World monkey, with complex vocalisations and strong emotional bonds between individuals. 

The species has declined by 50% over the last 45 years, currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This region of Peru - Manu Biosphere Reserve - is experiencing devastating habitat loss, with illegal gold mining polluting the waterways and the agricultural frontier pushing further and further into Peru’s remaining primary forests.

Photo Creds: Billy Stockwell

Luckily, these spider monkeys have allies who are refusing to stand down. The Crees Foundation have been working tirelessly for the last decade to protect their 650 hectare reserve from the threat of hunters and illegal loggers. Life is returning, in full force. Today, 87% of species have returned, proving that there is still hope for the future of the Amazon. 

Stefanie Rog (PhD), Researcher Coordinator at the Crees Foundation, is optimistic about the future. “I’m just really excited, even to make a small change. Together you’re stronger so I’m hoping that all these small initiatives will add up” she says, eyes bright and smiling widely. 

Many conservationists don’t have this positive stance; Stefanie thinks this has affected the younger generations, creating a culture of inaction. She believes that the younger generation are “often apathetic” as they don’t believe in it anymore. “They think the world's just going to be messed up anyway” said Stefanie. “So they just eat burgers and throw straws into the sea.”

Her humour visible but highlighting an important point, and one which Crees is passionate about addressing - to make people care about the natural world, first you have to inspire them, and then you have to empower them to make a difference.

Looking over the Alto Madre de Dios river, Photo Creds: Billy Stockwell

As I follow Bethan over the fallen tree, placing my hands and feet in the same safe spots as she did, I suddenly feel an overwhelming sense of discovery. Hours of sweaty trekking and bug swatting have brought me to this very moment, and as I look up, eyes to the sky, it’s all finally worth it.