Spider monkeys

Spider monkeys (Ateles spp.), native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, are remarkable primates known for their long limbs and prehensile tail, which they use deftly to navigate the forest canopy. These highly social animals live in groups that can range in size from just a few individuals to several dozen. In Suriname, the Guiana red-faced spider monkey (Ateles paniscus) lives in primary, undisturbed tropical rainforest.

In the central and southern regions of Suriname, the red-faced spider monkey is hunted for food by indigenous communities, a practice that poses a significant threat to their populations. Hunting pressure is particularly concerning for spider monkeys due to their slow reproductive rate and the preference to hunt females for their size during certain times of the year, when females also have young. 

The mothers are then eaten, and the young are sold into the illegal pet trade. Besides hunting, deforestation and habitat disruption are among the most critical threats to these primates. 

The Ateles Project, a spider monkey research program, launched in August 2024 and focuses on the unhunted and undisturbed population around Voltzberg in the Central Suriname Nature Reserve (CSNR). This population was also studied in the 1970s and is protected from hunting and habitat loss or destruction thanks to its protected and isolated location. 

This study assesses the impact of hunting on group size and composition in both unhunted and hunted populations. Technology plays a crucial role in minimizing travel costs and improving the efficiency of fieldwork. The project utilizes canopy camera trapping, passive acoustic monitoring, and thermal drone flights, allowing researchers to effectively assess group composition and size at the study sites.