LATIN AMERICA : SPECIES SPOTLIGHT
SPECIES AT RISK : YELLOW-TAILED WOOLLY MONKEY
PERU
TOP : YELLOW-TAILED WOOLLY MONKEY BY ANDREW WALMSLEY / NPC ; RIGHT : YELLOW-TAILED WOOLLY MONKEY BY ANDREW WALMSLEY / NPC
The Critically Endangered Peruvian Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey , sometimes referred to as the Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey , is endemic to northeastern Peru ’ s montane cloud forests . This large neotropical primate relies on these high-elevation forests for survival , spending its days traveling and feeding in the forest canopy .
The remaining habitat range of the Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey .
PERU
Over the last 50 years , populations of the Peruvian Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey have declined by 80 % due to habitat degradation .
Over the last 50 years , the monkey ’ s only habitat has been completely destroyed or degraded from road construction and logging , resulting in an alarming 80 % decline in Peruvian Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey populations . As deforestation levels rise in the region , its numbers continue to decline , putting this species at serious risk of extinction .
Rainforest Trust is working urgently on a new project to safeguard critical Peruvian Yellow-tailed Woolly Monkey habitat by creating two protected areas in the Peruvian Tropical Andes . By protecting this vulnerable ecosystem , we can ensure the survival of this rare primate .
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