Brown howling monkey  (Alouatta guariba)

Although the IUCN Red List classifies this species is Near Threatened (NT) overall, the nominate subspecies, the northern brown howling monkey (Alouatta guariba guariba), is classified as Critically Endangered (1). The species’ populations are extremely fragmented and reduced due to habitat destruction and development in the coastal forests of south-eastern Brazil and north-eastern Argentina (1) (3). Unlike many other primates, members of this genus are actually better able to survive in small isolated parts of the forest because they do not require large home ranges (1) (5). Habitat destruction and development in this part of the world does not seem to be slowing down and it is feared that this primate and many others will suffer in due course (2).

Brown howling monkeys benefit from habitat protection in at least 10 different protected areas in Brazil (3). They are also in the 958 hectare sanctuary of Montes Carlos which was first bought by Feliciano Miguel Abdala for a farm in 1944 (7). Abdala was fascinated by the forest’s wildlife and understood that, by trapping humidity, the forest helped to nurture his crops. Abdala therefore conserved large areas of the forest on his property and, encouraged by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and scientists, also provided land to build the Caratinga Biological Station in 1983. Since then the reserve has hosted dozens of Brazilian and international researchers, and following Abdala's death in 2000, was established as the Feliciano Miguel Abdala Private Natural Heritage Reserve (7). Conservation International has provided technical and financial assistance, as well as training and equipment, and is now working with local Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), government officials and private landowners to protect more forest fragments and link them into conservation corridors in this part of the state of Minas Gerais forest zone (7). It is certainly hoped that these positive measures will protect the brown howling monkey and other wildlife of this region for the future (2).