Mantled howler monkey  (Alouatta palliata)

Throughout its range, this howler monkey is threatened by forest destruction and fragmentation (5). In areas where forest destruction has been particularly severe, the species often moves into cocoa and coffee plantations (5). Mantled howler monkeys play a key role in the regeneration and health of its rainforest habitats, as they disperse seeds in their dung. Furthermore, their dung is an important resource for a diverse range of dung beetles, which are responsible for the recycling of nutrients from the dung back into the soil (5). The Critically Endangered Mexican subspecies (Alouatta palliata mexicana) has suffered greatly from fragmentation of its habitat. An estimated future decline of 73 - 84% over 30 years has been projected, and habitat loss is ongoing (1). Small, highly isolated populations are unable to disperse naturally; they are at inherent risk of local extinction caused by chance events, such as natural disasters or outbreaks of disease, as well as genetic problems as a result of inbreeding.

The mantled howler monkey is protected from international trade by its listing under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) (4). It has been estimated that around 1,352 individuals are located within protected areas; however, a further 10,249 occur on unprotected land (5). It has been proposed that new reserves should be established to protect the species, and that translocation programmes should be set up to combat the effects of isolation. In parallel to these measures, it is essential that local environmental education programmes about the importance of the species and its imperilled status should be initiated (5).