Red-backed squirrel monkey  (Saimiri oerstedii)

The grey-crowned subspecies Saimiri oerstedii citrinellus is critically endangered and has lost 89% of its original habitat in Costa Rica, with the remaining range (just 210km²) being severely fragmented (1). This is due to widespread logging and clearing for cattle ranches which started during the 1950s. Large areas were also planted with African oil palms and rice. In Panama, the black-crowned subspecies Saimiri oerstedii oerstedii has also suffered habitat losses of 76%, and now occurs in fragmented forest areas throughout its range (1,166km²) (1).

Like so many species the survival of the red-backed squirrel monkey is inextricably entwined with the future of the forests. Where there are protected reserves, there is hope for South America’s wildlife (1). The largest single population of the subspecies Saimiri oerstedii citrinellus occurs in the Manuel Antonio National Park in Panama. However this park is only 683 hectares in size (1). A recent survey (2003) did, however, indicate that the total population size for the red-backed squirrel monkey is significantly larger than had been previously estimated, numbering between 1300 and 1780 individuals (6). It will be extremely important to monitor and protect the remaining populations in the future, and find ways of securing their survival (8).