Stop Monkeying Around & Save the Squirrel Monkey
The tropical rainforests within Manuel Antonio National Park and Corcovado National Park are the only National Parks that are home to the squirrel monkey. The squirrel monkey is mainly a greenish-yellow color with a white throat, face, ears, and a black muzzle and tail tip. Considered to be omnivores, squirrel monkeys feed on insects, fruits, and the occasional leaf (1). This species has become endangered primarily because of deforestation and electrocution of these monkeys due to the large amount of construction surrounding the national park. As previously stated while discussing the limiting factors of Manuel Antonio, this ecosystem faced a tropical storm which contributed to the endangering of this particular species. These monkeys use "monkey bridges" that allow them to have safe passages over busy roads due to deforestation of the national park. However; 30 monkey bridges collapsed during the tropical storm, so more of the squirrel monkeys have been electrocuted from trying to find new routes to travel through wires. It is also harder for the monkeys to travel across the canopy and find food and shelter among the trees. There are approximately 2000 squirrel monkeys left, while there used to be 20,000, so we need to stop monkeying around and save this endangered squirrel monkey! Kids Saving the Rainforest is an organization that has spent the last 10 years rebuilding monkey bridges (11). If you are interested in helping in any way, or if you would like more information, then click the button below!
The picture in the upper left is a close up of a young endangered squirrel monkey (15).
The picture in the upper left is a close up of a young endangered squirrel monkey (15).