#hunting — Public Fediverse posts

Idaho Fish and Game says bear encounters are up this year. Here’s why https://www.diningandcooking.com/us/6004/ #Bowhunting #Camping #Deer #Elk #fish #fishing #Hiking #Hunting #Idaho #IdahoBackroads #IdahoDining #IdahoFood #IdahoGroceryStores #IdahoRestaurants #Kayaking

Idaho Fish and Game says bear encounters are up this year. Here’s why https://www.diningandcooking.com/us/6004/ #Bowhunting #Camping #Deer #Elk #fish #fishing #Hiking #Hunting #Idaho #IdahoBackroads #IdahoDining #IdahoFood #IdahoGroceryStores #IdahoRestaurants #Kayaking

Idaho Fish and Game says bear encounters are up this year. Here’s why https://www.diningandcooking.com/us/6004/ #Bowhunting #Camping #Deer #Elk #fish #fishing #Hiking #Hunting #Idaho #IdahoBackroads #IdahoDining #IdahoFood #IdahoGroceryStores #IdahoRestaurants #Kayaking

Idaho Fish and Game says bear encounters are up this year. Here’s why https://www.diningandcooking.com/us/6004/ #Bowhunting #Camping #Deer #Elk #fish #fishing #Hiking #Hunting #Idaho #IdahoBackroads #IdahoDining #IdahoFood #IdahoGroceryStores #IdahoRestaurants #Kayaking

Раз, два, три утки цып,цып #humor #music #hunting #story #shorts

Раз, два, три утки цып,цып #humor #music #hunting #story #shorts

Раз, два, три утки цып,цып #humor #music #hunting #story #shorts

Раз, два, три утки цып,цып #humor #music #hunting #story #shorts

Раз, два, три утки цып,цып #humor #music #hunting #story #shorts

Olinguito Bassaricyon neblina

Olinguito Bassaricyon neblina

IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

Location: Colombia, Ecuador

Found in the Andean cloud forests of western Colombia and Ecuador, at elevations between 1,500 and 2,800 metres.

One of the cutest #mammals recently discovered is already at risk. With their bear-like faces, cat-like bodies, and lush tawny fur, the olinguito Bassaricyon neblina is an adorable button-nosed mammal of #Ecuador and #Colombia. They first made themselves known to the western world in 2006 in Ecuador and were officially described in 2013 and are considered ‘Near Threatened’ mainly from deforestation and forest clearing for #palmoil agriculture along with road building, infrastructure and gold mining throughout their range. Native to the misty cloud forests of the northern Andes, they are increasingly threatened by industrial agribusiness, palm oil plantations, and agriculture. Over 40% of their habitat has already been destroyed. Use your wallet as a weapon: always choose #palmoilfree products and be #vegan to help protect olinguitos and other species of the Andean Cloud Forest#BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

https://youtu.be/6_ir48JWkRI

#Olinguitos are button-nosed #mammals 😻🦦 of the Cloud Forests in #Ecuador 🇪🇨 and #Colombia 🇨🇴 Their lives are threatened by #goldmining 🥇 #meat 🥩and #palmoil 🌴 #deforestation. Help them! Be #vegan #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-bBX

Discovered not long ago, #Olinguitos are #bear-like tenacious survivors. Despite hiding well, their forests are rapidly disappearing for #palmoil and #meat agriculture. Help them survive! Be #vegan #Boycottpalmoil 🌴⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-bBX

Appearance & Behaviour

The olinguito is reminiscent of teddy bear and a domestic cat, with thick, soft, russet and tawny coloured fur, a short snout with a button-like nose, small ears, and a long fluffy tail used for balance in the treetops. Typically weighing under one kilogram, they are the smallest member of the raccoon family (Procyonidae). Nocturnal and arboreal, they live high in the forest canopy and are rarely seen. Solitary by nature, they are also reclusive and actively avoid human interaction.

Threats

Despite being classified as Near Threatened, there are no known large-scale conservation programmes or protected areas specifically designed to safeguard the olinguito or their habitat. Many of the forests where they live are under private ownership or are unprotected, leaving them at the mercy of logging companies, agribusiness, and illegal land grabs. Without legal safeguards and ecological corridors between forest remnants, olinguito populations will continue to decline unnoticed. Over 42% of their potential range has already been cleared or degraded for mining and agriculture.

Widespread deforestation of Andean cloud forests for agriculture, livestock, and infrastructure

Much of the olinguito’s Andean cloud forest habitat has already been cleared for cattle pasture, coffee plantations, and crop fields. This is especially concerning given the species’ limited elevational range and dependence on specific microclimates. Habitat loss fragments populations and prevents them from moving between forest patches, leading to genetic isolation and increased vulnerability. According to Helgen et al. (2013), 42% of the olinguito’s historical range has already been lost to agriculture and urban development.

Palm oil and timber plantations rapidly consuming native forest habitat.

Large swathes of cloud forest are being destroyed to establish oil palm and timber plantations. These monocultures are ecological deserts that offer no food or shelter for frugivorous mammals like the olinguito. Although oil palm expansion is often focused in lowland regions, it is encroaching into higher elevations in parts of Colombia and Ecuador due to market demand and land speculation. This spells danger for highland endemics like the olinguito, whose misty habitat is already shrinking.

Urbanisation and road development, fragmenting their canopy habitat

As human populations expand into previously remote areas, forest is cleared for roads, settlements, and industrial development. Even if some patches of cloud forest remain, roads cut through ecosystems, isolating wildlife and increasing mortality from vehicle collisions. Urban sprawl also brings dogs and other invasive species that can harass, predate, or outcompete native animals. The olinguito’s canopy-dependent, arboreal lifestyle makes it especially susceptible to the effects of fragmentation and edge habitat.

Climate change, which threatens the stability of montane ecosystems.

Cloud forests are highly sensitive to temperature and moisture changes. As global temperatures rise, the delicate balance of mist, rainfall, and cool air that defines this biome is shifting. Suitable habitat may move upslope, but mountaintops provide a limited refuge. Once a species is pushed beyond its climatic limit, local extinction becomes inevitable. The olinguito already lives at the uppermost altitudes suitable for its survival, making it dangerously vulnerable to climate-induced habitat contraction.

Geographic Range

Olinguitos live in humid montane forests between 1,500 and 2,800 metres in elevation in western Colombia and Ecuador, including forests near Medellín in Colombia and the Otonga Forest Reserve in Cotopaxi, Ecuador. This species occupies the highest known range of any member of the genus Bassaricyon. Though only officially recognised in 2013, museum specimens had been mislabelled for decades prior to that.

Diet

Despite belonging to the carnivoran order, olinguitos are primarily frugivores. They feed on cloud forest fruits such as figs, as well as insects, nectar, and occasionally small vertebrates like birds and lizards. Their faeces are said to resemble small blueberries due to their fruit-heavy diet.

Mating and Reproduction

Very little is known about the reproductive behaviour of the olinguito, but it is believed they produce a single offspring at a time. Females have one pair of mammae. Their solitary lifestyle and canopy-based habits make studying them in the wild extremely difficult.

FAQs

How many olinguitos are left in the wild?

No population estimates exist for the olinguito, but scientists agree numbers are declining. Habitat modelling shows over 60% of their potential habitat is already deforested or degraded, suggesting a significant threat to survival (Helgen et al., 2013).

What is the lifespan of an olinguito?

Captive individuals like Ringerl—an olinguito unknowingly housed in US zoos for years—lived over a decade. Wild lifespan is presumed to be shorter, but specific data are lacking.

What are the main threats to the olinguito?

The biggest threats are deforestation and habitat loss driven by palm oil plantations, agriculture, and urbanisation. These activities have destroyed over 40% of their cloud forest habitat (Helgen et al., 2013). Climate change is also a growing concern due to their dependence on cool, moist mountain forests.

Do olinguitos make good pets?

No. Olinguitos are solitary, nocturnal, and specialised to live in misty canopy forests. Keeping them as pets is cruel and contributes to wildlife trafficking. Their capture disrupts family groups and decimates populations. If you care about olinguitos, do not fuel demand—speak out against the pet trade.

Take Action!

Olinguitos are an emblem of the hidden biodiversity in the world’s cloud forests—ecosystems that are vanishing fast.

• Boycott palm oil and demand truly forest-free alternatives.
• Support indigenous-led agroecology and forest protection efforts in the Andes.
• Refuse meat and dairy that drives deforestation in Colombia and Ecuador.
• Never support zoos or exotic pet collectors that remove wildlife from their habitats. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan #BoycottMeat

Support the Olinguito by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

Helgen, K. M., Pinto, C. M., Kays, R., Helgen, L. E., Tsuchiya, M. T. N., Quinn, A., Wilson, D. E., & Maldonado, J. E. (2013). Taxonomic revision of the olingos (Bassaricyon), with description of a new species, the olinguito. ZooKeys, 324, 1–83. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.324.5827

Helgen, K., Kays, R., Pinto, C., Schipper, J. & González-Maya, J.F. 2020. Bassaricyon neblina (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T48637280A166523067. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T48637280A166523067.en. Accessed on 02 May 2025.

Lee, T. E., Tinoco, N., Allred, F. G., Hennecke, A., Camacho, M. A., & Burneo, S. F. (2022). Small mammals of Otonga Forest Reserve, Cotopaxi Province, Ecuador. The Southwestern Naturalist, 66(1), 48–53. https://doi.org/10.1894/0038-4909-66.1.48

NBC News. (2013, August 16). ‘Cutest new animal’ discovered: It’s an olinguito! https://www.nbcnews.com/sciencemain/cutest-new-animal-discovered-its-olinguito-6C10925572

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Olinguito. Wikipedia. Retrieved 2 May 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olinguito

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

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• Facebook
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• WordPress
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• Mail
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Enter your email address

Sign Up

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

Learn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture

Santa Catarina’s Guinea Pig Cavia intermedia

Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus

Asian Small-clawed Otter Aonyx cinereus

Marsupials thought extinct for 6,000 years found in West Papua

Gursky’s Spectral Tarsier Tarsius spectrumgurskyae

Sunda Flying Lemur Galeopterus variegatus

Learn about “sustainable” palm oil greenwashing

Read more about RSPO greenwashing

A 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)

Ontario moose hunter fined, banned for unsafe shooting – CTV News

Ontario moose hunter fined, banned for unsafe shooting  CTV NewsHunter, posing ‘serious risk to public safety,’ fined $7,000  OrilliaMatters.comFour hunters…
#NewsBeep #News #Headlines #ban #banned #Bowmanville #CA #Canada #court #firearm #HippelTownship #hunter #hunting #MarlineLakeRoad #MNR #Moose #Nipigon #northwestern #ontario #poach #poacher #poaching #rifle #shooting #ThunderBay
https://www.newsbeep.com/239613/

Blonde Capuchin Sapajus flavius

Blonde Capuchin Sapajus flavius

IUCN Status: Endangered

Locations: Brazil

The blonde capuchin is found in the northeastern Atlantic Forest of Brazil, primarily in the states of Paraíba, Pernambuco, and Alagoas. Some populations have also been recorded in the Caatinga biome of Rio Grande do Norte, possibly due to habitat loss forcing them into new environments.

The blonde #capuchin (Sapajus flavius) is an enigmatic and critically endangered #primate found in the northeastern forests of Brazil. With their striking golden-yellow fur and intelligent, expressive faces, these capuchins are among the most visually distinctive of their genus. Once thought to be extinct, they were rediscovered in 2006, yet their populations remain fragmented and highly vulnerable. They inhabit a range of environments, from the coastal mangrove forests and várzea floodplains to terra firme forests in #Brazil’s Atlantic Forest biome. However, their survival is increasingly threatened by deforestation, agricultural expansion, #hunting, and the illegal #pettrade.

Blonde capuchins are known for their exceptionally large social groups, sometimes exceeding 150 individuals, where complex interactions, vocalisations, and even tool use have been observed. Unlike many primates, they do not have a specific breeding season, and infants can be seen being carried by their mothers year-round. Their remarkable adaptability to different habitats, including flooded forests and human-altered landscapes, underscores their resilience—but without immediate conservation action, these monkeys may not survive the pressures of habitat loss and hunting. Help them to survive every time you shop adopt a #Vegan lifestyle and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife in the supermarket.

Blonde #capuchins 🐒🐵 are #endangered due to #palmoil 🌴 sugarcane and meat 🥩 #deforestation in #Brazil 🇧🇷. Supremely intelligent, they use tools and mourn dead in their troop. Take action! #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🪔⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-a9q

#Monkeys of #Brazil, blonde #capuchins 🐒 are super smart and rub millipedes into their fur as an bug repellent. #PalmOil #meat and the illegal #pet trade are threats. Be #vegan for them 🥕🍆🧅 and #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🪔🧐🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-a9q

https://youtu.be/jCECaQvtxtY

Appearance & Behaviour

• Evidence of social cohesion and empathic community behaviour, group and individual mourning of infant deaths.
• Use up to 29 distinctive calls used to communicate.
• Live in large groups of up to 150 individuals.
• Evidence of complex tool use for self-medication and locating food.

Blonde capuchins are striking primates, their golden-yellow coats shimmering against the deep greens of the Atlantic Forest. They have a distinctive whitish cap on the front of their heads, which contrasts sharply with their dark brown eyes and black facial markings. Their fur is short and dense, suited to the humid tropical climate. Their hands and feet are a lighter shade of gold, with hairless black palms and soles for better grip while climbing. Males and females are similar in appearance, but males are typically larger and more muscular.

These capuchins are highly intelligent and social, living in large, multi-male, multi-female groups that can contain over 150 individuals. They use a complex system of vocalisations, with at least 29 distinct calls, to communicate. Their societies function with a fission-fusion dynamic, meaning they frequently split into smaller foraging groups to reduce competition over food. This flexibility is key to their survival in fragmented habitats.

Despite spending most of their time in the trees, blonde capuchins also frequently descend to the ground, particularly in Caatinga dry forests and areas where fruit is scarce. They exhibit high levels of problem-solving and tool use, including using sticks to fish for termites and rubbing millipede secretions onto their fur as an insect repellent.

These monkeys have strong social bonds, and mothers play an essential role in infant care, carrying their young for months after birth. Although males do not carry infants, they play a protective role, ensuring the safety of the group, particularly mothers and offspring. In a fascinating example of primate grief, a female blonde capuchin was observed carrying her dead infant for an extended period, refusing to abandon the body despite the risks of slowing down. Two adult males guarded the grieving mother, offering protection as she lagged behind the group, demonstrating a strong sense of social cohesion and empathy.

Threats

Sugar Cane, Palm Oil and Soy Monoculture

The relentless expansion of industrial agriculture, particularly sugar cane, palm oil and soy plantations, has led to the destruction of the Atlantic Forest—the blonde capuchin’s primary habitat. These plantations fragment their environment, forcing them into isolated forest patches where food scarcity increases competition and stress.

Cattle Ranching Deforestation

Large-scale cattle ranching contributes to deforestation, eliminating vast tracts of forest that blonde capuchins depend on. The clearing of land for pasture not only destroys their habitat but also reduces biodiversity, making it harder for them to find food and shelter.

Illegal Pet Trade

Blonde capuchins are frequently captured for the illegal pet trade. Their intelligence and playful nature make them highly sought after, but life in captivity is cruel. Confined to small cages and deprived of their social groups, they suffer immense psychological distress. The capture process is often violent, leading to injuries and death for both the captured individuals and the infants left behind.

Climate Change-Induced Extreme Weather

Rising temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns are disrupting food availability and seasonal cycles. Extreme droughts and storms destroy fruiting trees, leading to food shortages. Additionally, prolonged dry periods increase the risk of wildfires, further threatening their habitat.

Pesticides and River Pollution from Agriculture

Agricultural runoff, laden with pesticides and fertilisers, contaminates water sources. Blonde capuchins, like many primates, drink from forest streams, exposing them to toxic chemicals that weaken their immune systems and reduce reproductive success.

Geographic Range

Blonde capuchins are found in the fragmented forests of northeastern Brazil, particularly in the Atlantic Forest and, more recently, in the drier Caatinga biome. The latter may represent a forced adaptation due to habitat destruction.

Diet

Blonde capuchins are omnivores, feeding primarily on fruits, seeds, nuts, insects, and small vertebrates. In degraded habitats, they have been observed relying heavily on sugarcane, raiding plantations for food. This dietary shift highlights the impact of habitat destruction on their natural feeding behaviours.

Mating and Reproduction

Blonde capuchins (Sapajus flavius) exhibit year-round reproduction, meaning they do not adhere to a strict breeding season. This constant reproductive cycle allows for continuous population growth when environmental conditions permit. However, habitat destruction and human encroachment threaten this delicate balance, leading to increased infant mortality and population decline.

Maternal Care and Infant Development

Female blonde capuchins provide the primary care for their young, carrying infants on their backs for several months after birth. This close physical contact ensures warmth, protection, and the opportunity for infants to learn social behaviours by observing their mothers. Studies show that 68% of observed infant carrying was performed by females, emphasising their role as the primary caregivers (Medeiros et al., 2019).

Male Involvement in Infant Protection

Although males do not typically engage in direct infant care, they provide an essential protective role within the group. In some cases, two adult males have been observed guarding a vulnerable mother carrying her deceased infant, demonstrating social cooperation and the importance of group dynamics in protecting reproductive females (Andrade et al., 2020). This protective behavior ensures that mothers and infants are less vulnerable to predators while traveling with the group.

Infant Death and Maternal Grief

In rare but significant cases, female blonde capuchins have been documented engaging in corpse carrying behaviour, where a grieving mother carries her dead infant for days, even at the risk of slowing down her movements and exposing herself to danger. One such case involved a female who continued to carry her deceased infant despite being at increased risk of predation. Two males remained close to her, offering protection as she moved through the forest, suggesting that male blonde capuchins may provide indirect support to grieving mothers (Andrade et al., 2020).

This behavior is consistent with thanatology in primates, a field that examines how primates react to death. It suggests that blonde capuchins, like other cognitively complex primates, may experience a form of grief and maternal attachment beyond immediate survival instincts.

FAQs

Do blonde capuchins make good pets?

No. Keeping a blonde capuchin as a pet is both cruel and illegal. These intelligent primates require complex social interactions, large territories, and the freedom to forage and move. Captivity leads to severe mental and physical suffering. Additionally, the pet trade fuels poaching, further endangering wild populations.

How intelligent are blonde capuchins?

Blonde capuchins are among the most intelligent primates. They exhibit tool use, such as using sticks to extract termites and rocks to crack nuts. They also apply millipede secretions to their fur as a natural insect repellent, demonstrating problem-solving skills and cultural behaviours.

Why are blonde capuchins endangered?

The primary threats include deforestation for palm oil, sugar cane, soy and meat agriculture, habitat fragmentation, and the illegal pet trade. These pressures have drastically reduced their populations, leaving them confined to small, isolated forest patches.

How can I help protect blonde capuchins?

The best way to help is by supporting indigenous-led conservation initiatives and refusing to support industries that contribute to deforestation. Boycott palm oil and meat in the supermarket to fight against these destructive industries. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Take Action!

Blonde capuchins are in urgent need of protection. Every time you shop, you have the power to fight for their survival. Refuse products that contribute to deforestation and the destruction of their habitat. Support indigenous-led conservation efforts and advocate for stronger wildlife protection laws. Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Support Blonde Capuchins by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

Andrade, B. M. T., Freire-Filho, R., & Bezerra, B. (2020). The behaviours of a female blonde capuchin (Sapajus flavius) towards her dead infant. Behaviour. https://doi.org/10.1163/1568539X-bja10031

Bastos, M., Medeiros, K., Jones, G., & Bezerra, B. (2018). Small but wise: Common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) use acoustic signals as cues to avoid interactions with blonde capuchin monkeys (Sapajus flavius). American Journal of Primatology, 80(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.22744

Bezerra, B. M., Bastos, M., Souto, A., Keasey, M. P., Eason, P., Schiel, N., & Jones, G. (2014). Camera Trap Observations of Nonhabituated Critically Endangered Wild Blonde Capuchins, Sapajus flavius (Formerly Cebus flavius). International Journal of Primatology, 35(5), 895–907. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-014-9782-4

Hance, J.(2011). Critically endangered capuchins make tools to gather termites. Mongabay https://news.mongabay.com/2011/03/critically-endangered-capuchins-make-tools-to-gather-termites/

Medeiros, K., Bastos, M., Jones, G., & Bezerra, B. (2019). Behavior, Diet, and Habitat Use by Blonde Capuchin Monkeys (Sapajus flavius) in a Coastal Area Prone to Flooding: Direct Observations and Camera Trapping. International Journal of Primatology, 40(5), 511–531. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-019-00103-z

Prado-Sañudo, M. L., Giraldo, A., & Bolívar, W. (2020). Population status of Sapajus flavius in the Western and Central Andes of Colombia. Boletín Científico Centro de Museos Museo de Historia Natural, 24(2), 116-124. https://doi.org/10.17151/bccm.2020.24.2.8

Valença-Montenegro, M.M., Bezerra, B.M., Martins, A.B., Jerusalinsky, L., Fialho, M.S. & Lynch Alfaro, J.W. 2021. Sapajus flavius (amended version of 2020 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T136253A192592928. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T136253A192592928.en. Accessed on 10 February 2025.

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Blonde capuchin. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blond_capuchin

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Instagram
• WordPress
• YouTube
• Mail
• Mastodon

Enter your email address

Sign Up

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

Read more

Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

Read more

Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

Read more

Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

Read more

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

Read more

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

Read more

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

Learn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture

Savage’s Glass Frog Centrolene savagei

Keep reading

Pesquets Parrot Psittrichas fulgidus

Keep reading

Tanimbar Eclectus Parrot Eclectus riedeli

Keep reading

Malayan Flying Fox Pteropus vampyrus

Keep reading

Mountain Cuscus Phalanger carmelitae

Keep reading

Andean condor Vultur gryphus

Keep reading

Learn about “sustainable” palm oil greenwashing

Read more about RSPO greenwashing

A 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)

#Andes #animals #BlondeCapuchinSapajusFlavius #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #Brazil #capuchin #Capuchins #deforestation #endangered #EndangeredSpecies #ForgottenAnimals #hunting #meat #meatAndSoyDeforestationInBrazil #meatDeforestation_ #monkey #monkeys #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #pet #pettrade #poaching #Primate #SouthAmericaSpeciesEndangeredByPalmOilDeforestation #soyDeforestation #sugarCane #vegan

Savage’s Glass Frog Centrolene savagei

Savage’s Glass Frog Centrolene savagei

Locations: Endemic to Colombia, found in the Cordillera Central and Cordillera Occidental mountain ranges in the departments of Quindío, Risaralda, Caldas, and Valle del Cauca, between 1,400 and 2,410 metres above sea level.

Perched on delicate leaves above rushing mountain streams, Centrolene savagei is a rare frog of wonder. The Savage’s Glass Frog, also known as the Savage’s Cochran Frog has translucent emerald skin that shimmers under moonlight, revealing a celestial map of organs and veins. These appear like a tiny universe of stars glowing beneath their skin. This remarkable adaptation serves as camouflage, allowing them to blend seamlessly into their misty rainforest habitat. Male frogs fiercely protect a clutch of around 30 eggs while females gather food. Tragically these magnificent #frogs face mounting threats from #deforestation for #palmoil #soy #meat along with #climatechange which is disrupting the delicate balance of their cloud forest home. Protecting the cloud forests of #Colombia is essential to ensuring their continued survival. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Savage’s Glass #Frogs of #Colombia 🇨🇴 have skin 🤯 that glows like sparkling stars 🌌 Males fiercely guard egg clutches. #PalmOil #Soy and #Meat #Deforestation are threats. Help them and be #Vegan 🥕🍆🌴🪔⛔️ #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-a8R

Savage’s Glass Frogs 🐸 live in the cloud #forests of #Colombia 🇨🇴 and face threats from the #pet trade and #agriculture. Their see-through skin protects them from predators. Help them survive and #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🪔🧐🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-a8R

https://youtu.be/EliqG8RsZCA

Appearance & Behaviour

Savage’s Glass Frog is an exquisite amphibian with skin so translucent that their inner organs are visible, glowing like a hidden constellation beneath a veil of green. Their slender limbs end in sticky, webbed toes, perfectly adapted for clinging to leaves in humid forests. Their wide, golden eyes, speckled with flecks of black, provide keen night vision, allowing them to detect predators and prey under the dim glow of the forest canopy. At night, they call softly to attract mates, their gentle trills merging with the sounds of the rainforest.

Threats

Savage’s Glass Frog (Centrolene savagei) faces numerous threats that are rapidly altering their cloud forest habitat in the Colombian Andes. A study by Prado-Sañudo et al. (2020) found that the species was absent from certain locations where they had previously been recorded, suggesting population declines may already be underway. Conservation efforts must prioritise protecting Colombia’s cloud forests from further degradation.

Palm Oil and Soy Monoculture

Large-scale agricultural expansion for palm oil and soy plantations is devastating Colombia’s biodiverse rainforests. These monocultures replace native vegetation with single-crop plantations, destroying the undergrowth and streamside vegetation that Centrolene savagei relies on for shelter and breeding. As forest cover disappears, humidity levels drop, making their microhabitats drier and less suitable for egg development. The clearance of forests also leads to soil erosion, which can result in sedimentation of the clear mountain streams where these frogs lay their eggs.

Cattle Ranching

Extensive cattle ranching in the Colombian Andes is another major driver of deforestation. Forests are slashed and burned to create pastures, reducing available habitat for Centrolene savagei. The removal of trees along waterways destroys vital breeding sites, while cattle compact the soil, disrupting the natural flow of water and increasing erosion. The destruction of riparian zones reduces the availability of suitable egg-laying sites, directly impacting the frog’s ability to reproduce.

Illegal Pet Trade

Centrolene savagei is at risk of being targeted by the illegal pet trade due to their striking appearance and rarity. Glass frogs are often smuggled and sold internationally to collectors who seek out exotic species. This illegal trade removes individuals from wild populations, reducing genetic diversity and making the species more vulnerable to extinction. Additionally, captured frogs often suffer high mortality rates due to stress, improper handling, and unsuitable captive conditions.

Climate Change and Extreme Weather

Rising global temperatures are altering the delicate climatic conditions of Colombia’s montane forests. Extreme weather events, such as prolonged droughts and intense rainfall, are becoming more frequent. Droughts can dry up the small streams where Centrolene savagei reproduces, leading to egg desiccation and failed breeding seasons. Intense storms, on the other hand, cause flash floods that wash away egg clutches and displace adult frogs. Long-term shifts in temperature and precipitation could also disrupt breeding cycles and reduce the availability of insect prey.

Pesticides and Pollution Runoff into Rivers

Agricultural chemicals, including pesticides and herbicides used in large-scale farming, often wash into nearby streams and rivers. Centrolene savagei, like many amphibians, has highly permeable skin that makes them exceptionally sensitive to toxins. Pesticide exposure can lead to developmental deformities, weakened immune systems, and increased mortality rates in both tadpoles and adults. Additionally, runoff containing fertilisers can trigger algal blooms, depleting oxygen levels in the water and further degrading their habitat.

Geographic Range

Savage’s Glass Frog is endemic to Colombia’s Andean cloud forests, occupying both the Cordillera Central and Cordillera Occidental. They are found in humid montane forests, clinging to vegetation near fast-flowing streams where they breed and shelter.

Diet

These frogs are insectivorous, feeding on a diet of small invertebrates, including flies, moths, and spiders. Their sticky tongues enable them to snatch unsuspecting prey with precision, while their nocturnal hunting habits help them avoid daytime predators.

Mating and Reproduction

Male Centrolene savagei play a vital role in protecting their offspring. They guard egg clutches laid on leaves overhanging streams, keeping them hydrated by absorbing water and transferring it to the eggs with their bodies. This parental care reduces embryo desiccation and shields them from predators. Once the eggs hatch, the tiny, transparent tadpoles drop into the water below, beginning their journey to adulthood.

FAQs

Why do Savage’s Glass Frogs have transparent skin?

Their translucent skin serves as an advanced form of camouflage. By reflecting the colour and light of their surroundings, they can evade predators more effectively. This adaptation, combined with their nocturnal habits, makes them exceptionally difficult to spot in the wild.

What are the main threats to Savage’s Glass Frog?

Deforestation for agriculture and human expansion poses the greatest risk. As forests are cleared, populations become isolated, making it harder for them to find mates and maintain genetic diversity. Additionally, climate change could alter their delicate montane ecosystems, impacting their breeding success. The illegal pet trade is a growing risk as these beautiful frogs are sought out for private collections reducing their populations in the wild.

Do Glass Frogs Make Good Pets?

No, glass frogs— including Centrolene savagei—do not make good pets. Keeping them in captivity is not only unethical but also contributes to their decline in the wild. These frogs have highly specialised habitat needs that are impossible to replicate in captivity. They require pristine, high-humidity cloud forests with access to flowing, oxygen-rich streams for breeding. Even small environmental changes can stress them, leading to illness and death.

Beyond the difficulty of caring for them, removing Centrolene savagei from the wild is a major conservation issue. Every individual taken for the pet trade weakens wild populations, reducing genetic diversity and making the species more vulnerable to extinction. Many glass frogs die in transit due to improper handling, dehydration, and stress. Others perish in captivity because of unsuitable conditions or lack of knowledge about their complex dietary and breeding requirements.

If you truly care about these remarkable amphibians, the best way to help them is to never buy wild-caught glass frogs and to actively speak out against the exotic pet trade. Instead, support habitat conservation efforts and help protect the fragile ecosystems they depend on. #BoycottWildlifeTrade #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

What makes Savage’s Glass Frog unique?

Their combination of transparent skin, nocturnal behaviour, and dedicated male parental care sets them apart from many other amphibians. The ability of males to hydrate and defend their eggs is a rare adaptation that improves their offspring’s chances of survival.

Are Savage’s Glass Frogs endangered?

More research is needed to determine their current population trends. However, habitat destruction and population declines in certain areas suggest that conservation efforts are needed to ensure their long-term survival.

Take Action!

Colombia’s cloud forests are disappearing at an alarming rate, threatening the survival of Centrolene savagei and countless other species. Protect their habitat by supporting indigenous-led conservation initiatives and refusing to buy products linked to deforestation. Use your voice to demand stronger environmental protections and share awareness about the importance of preserving these fragile ecosystems. Every choice matters. Go #Vegan for the animals and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Support Savage’s Glass Frogs by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

Escobar-Lasso, S., & Rojas-Morales, J. A. (2012). Antipredatory behaviors of the Colombian endemic glassfrog Centrolene savagei (Anura: Centrolenidae). Boletín Científico. Centro de Museos. Museo de Historia Natural, 16(1), 1–10.

IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group. 2017. Centrolene savagei. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T54990A63062174. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T54990A63062174.en. Accessed on 09 February 2025.

Ospina, A. M., Navarro-Salcedo, P., Rios-Soto, J. A., Duarte-Marín, S., & Vargas-Salinas, F. (2019). Temporal patterns, benefits, and defensive behaviors associated with male parental care in the glassfrog Centrolene savagei. Herpetological Journal, 162–174.

Prado-Sañudo, M. L., Giraldo, A., & Bolívar, W. (2020). Population status of Centrolene savagei in the Western and Central Andes of Colombia. Boletín Científico Centro de Museos Museo de Historia Natural, 24(2), 116–124.

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Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

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Learn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture

Santa Catarina’s Guinea Pig Cavia intermedia

Keel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus

Asian Small-clawed Otter Aonyx cinereus

Marsupials thought extinct for 6,000 years found in West Papua

Gursky’s Spectral Tarsier Tarsius spectrumgurskyae

Sunda Flying Lemur Galeopterus variegatus

Learn about “sustainable” palm oil greenwashing

Read more about RSPO greenwashing

A 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)

Brazilian three-banded armadillo Tolypeutes tricinctus

Brazilian three-banded armadillo Tolypeutes tricinctus

Vulnerable

Extant (resident): Brazil: Minas Gerais, Bahia, Alagoas, Sergipe, Pernambuco, Rio Grande do Norte, Goiás, Tocantins, Piauí, Paraíba, Ceará, Maranhão.

The Brazilian three-banded #armadillo Tolypeutes tricinctus, known as “tatu-bola” in Portuguese, is a rare and unique species native to #Brazil. With the ability to roll into a near-impenetrable ball, this endearing behaviour has made them an icon of conservation efforts. They are found in the dry forests and savannahs of Brazil, particularly in the #Cerrado and Caatinga biomes. These fascinating armoured creatures are Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to agricultural expansion for #palmoil, #soy and #meat. Fragmentation of their ecosystem is ongoing for infrastructure projects and #goldmining. With their population in sharp decline, efforts to protect their habitats are essential for their survival. Help them every time you shop and adopt a #vegan diet, and #BoycottPalmOil #BoycottGold #Boycott4Wildlife on social media!

https://youtu.be/pVG-7CyjLmo

Resilient Brazilian three-banded #armadillos are fascinating real-life #pokemon of #SouthAmerica. They’re vulnerable from #palmoil meat and soy #deforestation in #Brazil. Resist their #extinction! Be #vegan #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-8R9

Brazilian three-banded #armadillos are the adorable armoured tanks of #Brazil’s #Cerrado who can curl into an armoured ball. They are #vulnerable from #deforestation. Help them survive by being #vegan and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-8R9

Appearance & Behaviour

• The word “armadillo” means “little armoured one” in Spanish.
• They are known as ‘kwaráu’ in the now extinct Huamoé language and ˈkʌ̨́ñíkį̀ in the Kambiwá language of Brazil.
• Brazilian three-banded armadillos have a good nose and can smell termites and ants through up to 20 cm of soil.
• Their loose armour creates a layer of air, helping them to regulate their temperature in harsh climates.
• They are one of only two armadillo species that can roll into a tight ball.

Brazilian three-banded armadillos are easily recognised by their distinctive armour, which is composed of bony plates known as scutes. These scutes, covered in keratinised skin, form a protective shell around the animal’s body, allowing them to roll into a tight ball when threatened. This unique defence mechanism makes them virtually immune to most natural predators in the wild – except for humans. Their compact body length of 22 to 27 cm and a weight of about 1 to 1.6 kg makes it easy for them to navigate in the forest.

Their distinctive sharp claws and elongated snouts are perfectly adapted for foraging for ants and termites. Although primarily solitary, they sometimes travel in small family groups. They keep their noses to the ground sniffing out insects and move in a deliberate cautious way. Unlike other burrowing armadillos they prefer to hide in bushes for shelter and camouflage.

Threats

Deforestation for palm oil, soy and meat agriculture

Forest and grassland destruction for soy, palm oil, sugar cane and meat plantations is a serious threat. This has drastically reduced the Brazilian three-banded armadillo’s range in the Cerrado and Caatinga biomes.

Human encroachment for infrastructure projects

The Brazilian three-banded armadillo is impervious to many natural threats in their environment. However, infrastructure projects, roads, housing have become a significant threat to their survival.

Illegal hunting

Brazilian three-banded armadillos are hunted for their skins and meat.

Conservation

Conservation efforts for the Brazilian three-banded armadillo are indirect and focused on habitat protection rather than direct intervention. Protected areas within the Cerrado and Caatinga offer some refuge for the species. Yet large portions of their habitat remains at risk for deforestation.

Habitat

Resilient and tough, this armadillo has adapted over millions of years to thrive in harsh landscapes of poor rainfall and poor soil. Brazilian three-banded armadillos are found primarily in the northeastern regions of Brazil, inhabiting the open savannahs of the Cerrado and the dry woodlands of the Caatinga.

Diet

Brazilian three-banded armadillos are primarily insectivores, relying heavily on ants and termites as their main food source. Sharp claws allow them to dig into insect nests, and they use their long, sticky tongues to collect the prey. Occasionally they supplement their diet with molluscs, worms, fruit, and carrion.

Mating and breeding

The breeding season occurs between October and January. After a gestation period of approximately 120 days, females give birth to a single pup. Newborns are born blind, and their armour remains soft and pliable in the first weeks of life. A young armadillo’s shell hardens by week four. By this time they will be capable of protective rolling into a ball and walking. They are weaned by 10 weeks of age and reach reproductive maturity between 9 and 12 months.

Support Brazilian Three-Banded Armadillos by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

Miranda, F., Moraes-Barros, N., Superina, M., & Abba, A. M. (2014). Tolypeutes tricinctus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014: e.T21975A47443455. https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T21975A47443455.en

Wikipedia Contributors. (n.d.). Brazilian three-banded armadillo. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 16, 2024, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_three-banded_armadillo

Animalia. (n.d.). Brazilian Three-Banded Armadillo. Retrieved from https://animalia.bio/brazilian-three-banded-armadillo

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Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

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The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

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How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

Read more

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

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Learn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture

Brazilian three-banded armadillo Tolypeutes tricinctus

Keep reading

Sumatran Tiger Panthera tigris sondaica

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Bateleur Eagle Terathopius ecaudatus

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Borneo Forest Dragon Gonocephalus bornensis

Keep reading

Orange-breasted Falcon Falco deiroleucus

Keep reading

Sunda Clouded Leopard Neofelis diardi 

Keep reading

Learn about “sustainable” palm oil greenwashing

Read more about RSPO greenwashing

A 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)

#animals #armadillo #armadillos #Bantrophyhunting #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottGold #BoycottPalmOil #Brazil #BrazilianThreeBandedArmadilloTolypeutesTricinctus #Cerrado #deforestation #extinction #ForgottenAnimals #goldMining #goldmining #hunting #meat #meatAgriculture #meatAndSoyDeforestationInBrazil #meatDeforestation_ #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #poachers #poaching #pokemon #SouthAmericaSpeciesEndangeredByPalmOilDeforestation #SouthAmerica #soy #soyDeforestation #vegan #vulnerable #VulnerableSpecies

White-Nosed Saki Chiropotes albinasus

White-Nosed Saki Chiropotes albinasus

Red List status: Vulnerable

Locations: Brazil

Curious, social and beautiful White-Nosed Sakis are striking and unusual looking #primates. This vulnerable primate is instantly recognisable by their long, silky black fur, reddish-pink noses, and distinctive hair tufts crowning their heads. The white-Nosed Saki’s range spans the shaded forests south-west of the Dos Marmelos river, where they are vulnerable from human-related threats including #palmoil, #soy and #meat #deforestation, #goldmining and human persecution. They deserve us to fight for their survival. Help them every time you shop and be #Vegan #BoycottPalmOil and #Boycott4Wildlife

Curious, social and beautiful White-Nosed Sakis 🐒🐵🙈 are vulnerable #monkeys in #Brazil 🇧🇷 from #soy #meat #palmoil 🌴🩸 #deforestation and #mining 🚜🔥 Protect them every time you shop, be #vegan #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2023/02/19/white-nosed-saki-chiropotes-albinasus/

White-Nosed Sakis have striking tufts of hair on their noses and long silky tails 🙉🩷🤎 They are vulnerable in #Amazonia #Brazil from #soy #meat #palmoil #deforestation. Use your wallet and protect them! Be #vegan 🍉🍎 #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2023/02/19/white-nosed-saki-chiropotes-albinasus/

https://youtu.be/oHX4z66YN6E

White Nosed Sakis have a range throughout the south-east and south-central regions of the Amazon Rainforest which extends into the country of Brazil. Their range overlaps with the Uta Hicks bearded saki throughout the southern Amazon which means that they compete for food with this other species, leading to a lack of food availability. They have also been recorded in the area south-west of the Dos Marmelos river in Brazil.

Appearance & Behaviour

Distinctive White Nosed-Sakis have tufts of long hair on their heads and beards, along with a long silky tail. Despite their namesake, they don’t have a white nose. All over they have black silky fur and a reddish pink nose. Females and males look similar, although females have a shorter and thinner tufts and beards.

Young White-Nosed Sakis use their tails to swing through to the jungle canopy. As adults, these tails become non-prehensile and are only used for balance. Their teeth are canine in appearance and are able to bite through the tough shells of fruits and seeds.

Males weigh around 2.5 to 3kg and females weighing slightly less than this, averaging about 2.5kg. They range between 35-45 cm in body length. Their sleek bodies and long tails for balance and support make them agile and fast moving climbers and leapers in the Amazonian jungle.

White-Nosed Sakis are most active and socialise throughout the day. Groups of around 20-30 individuals congregate together for sleeping and food gathering but then separate for other activities.

They generally communicate using sound and have higher pitched alarm calls during times of getting each others attention to warn of danger. Lower pitched sounds are reserved for more relaxed periods of eating and socialising. They have been recorded to wag their tails as ways of communication. Other methods of communication remain under-investigated.

Threats

The main threats identified for the White Nosed Saki are deforestation, forest fragmentation through logging, cattle ranching, agriculture, rural settlements, subsistence hunting, improvement of road infrastructure and the construction of hydroelectric dams.

IUCN RED LIST

Threats include:

• Environmental destruction and deforestation for agriculture: beef, soy and palm oil.
• Infrustructure development including hydroelectric dams and gold mining.
• Human persecution and hunting. Their tails are used for cleaning dusters.

It is estimated that up to 30% of their range is threatened from agriculture.

Habitat

The White-Nosed Saki competes with other Chiropotes #monkeys over dwindling food sources. These elusive primates prefer to live in forests with little or no human disturbance and are able to organise in groups to forage for food. They are relatively flexible in terms of habitat preference, which will depend upon food availability. They prefer to live in the shaded comfort of upper forest canopies which provide shade, nutrients and protection from predators. This is where they are most observed spending their daily lives.

Diet

These monkeys are not fussy and have been known to consume 100’s of different plants in Brazilian Amazonia. In general, they are foraging frugivores and their diet consists of seeds, fruit, bark, insects, leaves and flowers. The majority of their diet consists of seeds and fruit, with insects being eaten around 10% of the time. Fruit is preferred in its unripened and immature state as a major source of protein and fibre.

Mating and breeding

The mating and reproduction of the White Nosed Saki is an under-researched area. Observations show them to be seasonal breeders who give birth during spring and autumn. The gestation period has been studied and occurs over a period of five months. Studies indicate that only one infant is born each year to a mother, this is followed by a period of close maternal care and observation. More research is needed to reveal more detail.

Support White Nosed Sakis by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

Pinto, L.P., Buss, G., Veiga, L.M., de Melo, F.R., Mittermeier, R.A., Boubli, J.P. & Wallace, R.B. 2021. Chiropotes albinasus (amended version of 2020 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T4685A191702783. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T4685A191702783.en. Accessed on 31 October 2022.

White Nosed Saki, Animalia.bio

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Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

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Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

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Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

Read more

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

Read more

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

Read more

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

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#Amazonia #animals #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #Brazil #dams #deforestation #ForgottenAnimals #goldMining #goldmining #hunting #infrastructure #Mammal #meat #mining #monkey #monkeys #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #poaching #primates #roads #SeedDispersers #seeddispersal #SouthAmericaSpeciesEndangeredByPalmOilDeforestation #soy #vegan #VulnerableSpecies #WhiteNosedSakiChiropotesAlbinasus

African Palm Civet Nandinia binotata

African Palm Civet Nandinia binotata

Red list status: Least concern (in 2016) but likely becoming endangered now.

Locations: Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, South Sudan, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe.

African Palm Civets Nandinia binotata are ecosystem-critical seed dispersers in Africa’s forests. Their spotted coats blend into the dappled forest shadows of #Liberia and #Gabon in #Africa. Although they were once widespread, the African palm civet now faces mounting pressure from palm oil-driven deforestation, mining, and relentless hunting for #bushmeat. Their survival hangs in the balance —fight for their survival every time you shop, be #Vegan for them and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFpLVDC6IM0

Vital seed dispersers in #African forests, African palm civets are hunted for #bushmeat in #Gabon 🇬🇦 #Liberia 🇱🇷 Say NO to #palmoil #deforestation and hunting. Fight for them! Be #Vegan 🫑🍆 #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🩸🚜☠️🔥❌ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2022/11/13/african-palm-civet-nandinia-binotata/

Appearance & Behaviour

The African palm civet is a small, cat-like omnivore, their slender body and long, ringed tail perfectly adapted for life in the treetops. Their fur ranges from grey to dark brown, with distinctive dark spots decorating their back. Males are slightly larger than females, typically weighing between 1 and 3 kilograms and measuring 30 to 70 centimetres in length. Two scent glands beneath their abdomen allow them to mark territory and communicate with potential mates. African palm civets are nocturnal, spending most of their lives high in the canopy, where they forage, rest, and raise their young. They are nocturnal and spend the majority of their lives in the tree canopies of rainforests eating from fruit-bearing trees like banana, papaya, fig and corkwood.

Threats

The main threats to African palm civets are anthropogenic and include:

Large tracts of rainforest where African palm civets live are threatened by commercial logging and large-scale oil palm plantations owned by foreign multinational companies.  

Hunting for bushmeat trade

Around 8,000 palm civets are hunted in the Nigerian and Cameroon part of the Cross-Sanaga-Bioko coastal forests. Throughout Africa these small animals are treated as hostile by locals and are killed for this reason. They are regularly found in bushmeat markets.

Palm oil deforestation: a major threat

The upper Guinean rainforests in Liberia are a biodiversity rich hotspot and they are rapidly being fragmented and destroyed by palm oil and timber deforestation, along with mining.

Habitat

The African palm civet’s range spans much of sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal and Gambia in the west, through Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, South Sudan, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. They inhabit deciduous forests, lowland rainforests, gallery forests, riverine peatlands, and swamplands. Once widespread, their habitat is now fragmented by deforestation, agriculture, and mining, leaving only scattered pockets of forest where the African palm civet can still be found.

Diet

African palm civets are omnivorous, their diet shifting with the rhythm of the seasons. Fruits such as persimmon, African corkwood, Uapaca, fig, papaya, and banana form the core of their diet. When fruit is scarce, they hunt rodents, lizards, birds, frogs, insects, and even raid farms for small livestock. Their foraging is a quiet, methodical search through the canopy, and they are vital seed dispersers, helping to regenerate the forests they call home.

Mating and breeding

African palm civets are mostly solitary, coming together only to mate. Males range over territories that overlap with those of several females. Breeding occurs year-round, with peaks during the rainy seasons, especially from September to January. After a gestation of about 64 days, females give birth in tree hollows to litters of up to four cubs. The young are weaned after about two months, remaining with their mothers as they learn to forage and navigate the treetops. Sexual maturity is reached at around three years, and the generation length is estimated at seven years. The bond between mother and cub is strong, forged in the safety of the canopy and tested by the dangers of the shrinking forest.

FAQs

Where do African palm civets sleep?

African palm civets are highly arboreal and seek shelter high in the treetops, where they find safety from predators and the elements. They commonly rest or sleep during the day in the forks of large trees, among lianas, or in tangled vines, blending into the foliage with their spotted coats. Occasionally, as forests shrink and human settlements expand, African palm civets adapt by sleeping in less typical places such as gutters, thick undergrowth at farm and village margins, woodpiles, old dead trees, piles of dead leaves, and even in thatched roofs or overgrown shrubbery in rubbish dumps. Their choice of sleeping site is always guided by the need for concealment and protection, reflecting their nocturnal and secretive nature.

Can African palm civets climb trees?

African palm civets are exceptional climbers, spending most of their lives in the forest canopy. Their bodies are built for agility among the branches: they have powerful limbs, long tails for balance, and sharp, retractile claws that allow them to grip bark and vines securely. African palm civets move swiftly and silently through the treetops, foraging, resting, and raising their young high above the ground, rarely descending except to cross open areas in search of food or new shelter. Their arboreal lifestyle is so pronounced that they are sometimes described as “tree cats,” and their climbing abilities are vital for evading predators and accessing fruit-laden branches.

Are palm civets carnivorous?

African palm civets are omnivores, with a diet that is more varied than simply carnivorous. While they do eat small mammals, birds, eggs, insects, and occasionally carrion or even raid farms for small livestock, fruit forms the largest part of their diet. They consume a wide range of fruits, including those from umbrella trees, sugar plums, corkwood, wild figs, and even the fleshy pulp from oil palms. African palm civets are opportunistic feeders, adapting their diet to what is available seasonally and in their environment, but they are not strictly carnivorous and play a significant role as seed dispersers in their forest habitats.

How big are African palm civets?

African palm civets are small to medium-sized mammals, with males generally larger than females. Adult males typically measure between 39.8 and 62.5 centimetres in body length, with tails adding another 43 to 76.2 centimetres, and can weigh from 1.3 to 3 kilograms. Females are slightly smaller, with body lengths of 37 to 61 centimetres and tails of 34 to 70 centimetres, weighing between 1.2 and 2.7 kilograms. Their long, muscular tails and compact bodies make them agile climbers, and their size allows them to navigate the dense forest canopy with ease.

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You can support this beautiful animal

There are no known formal conservation activities in place for this animal. Make sure that you #Boycottpalmoil and #Boycott4Wildlife in the supermarket and raise awareness of the plight of beautiful African palm civets in order to support their survival! Find out more here

Further Information

The IUCN has declared that this animal was of ‘Least Concern’ in 2016. However, their habitat is rapidly declining and they deserve more intensive protection and regular assessment.

Gaubert, P., Bahaa-el-din, L., Ray, J. & Do Linh San, E. 2015. Nandinia binotata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T41589A45204645. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T41589A45204645.en. Accessed on 07 September 2022.

Kotelnicki, S. (2012). Nandinia binotata. Animal Diversity Web. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Nandinia_binotata/

Wikipedia. (n.d.). African palm civet. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Palm_Civet

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#africa #african #africanPalmCivetNandiniaBinotata #animals #benin #boycott4wildlife #boycottpalmoil #burundi #bushmeat #cameroon #centralAfricanRepublic #congo #cotedivoire #deforestation #equatorialGuinea #forgottenAnimals #gabon #ghana #hunting #kenya #liberia #malawi #mammal #mining #nigeria #omnivore #omnivores #palmOil #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #poaching #rwanda #seedDispersers #seeddispersal #sierraLeone #tanzania #togo #uganda #vegan #viverrid #vulnerableSpecies

Black Bearded Saki Chiropotes satanas

Black Bearded Saki Chiropotes satanas

Red List Status: Endangered

Locations: North-eastern Amazon, Brazil (specifically from the Tocantins River in Pará east to around the Grajaú River in Maranhão)

Beneath the towering canopy of the Amazon’s north-eastern forests, the Black Bearded Saki moves with quiet purpose, their distinctive shaggy beard and robust body a testament to their resilience in a world under siege. The air is thick with the scent of damp earth and the distant calls of unseen creatures, but the forest is changing—#roads, #dams, and #agriculture are carving scars across the landscape, fragmenting the Black Bearded Saki’s ancestral home. The black bearded saki’s survival is threatened by relentless deforestation and hunting, their fate bound to the fate of the forest—fight for their survival every time you shop #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

https://youtu.be/Cjh19F9Ux9o

Black Bearded #Sakis are #endangered large #monkeys 🐒 endemic to #Brazil 🇧🇷 #SouthAmerica they are #endangered by #timber #palmoil #hydroelectric dam #deforestation. Help save them and #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🩸🔥🙊⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/08/28/black-bearded-saki-chiropotes-satanas/

Appearance and Behaviour

Black bearded sakis are medium-sized primates, their bodies draped in thick, dark fur and their faces framed by a distinctive, flowing beard. Adults typically measure around 50 centimetres in length, with a tail nearly as long as their body, and weigh between 2.5 and 3.5 kilograms. Their robust build and strong limbs allow them to move with surprising agility through the upper canopy, where they spend most of their lives. The black bearded saki’s most remarkable feature is their powerful jaw and specialised teeth, which enable them to crack open the hard shells of unripe fruits to reach the nutritious seeds inside. This adaptation makes them one of the most efficient seed predators and seed dispersers in the Amazon, and their foraging habits play a vital role in shaping the forest ecosystem.

Black bearded sakis live in groups of up to 40 individuals, though smaller groups are more common. They are highly social, with strong bonds between group members, and communicate through a variety of vocalisations, including chirps, whistles, and alarm calls. Their days are spent foraging, resting, and moving through the canopy, rarely descending to the forest floor. The black bearded saki’s presence is often marked by the sound of falling fruit and the rustle of leaves as they leap from branch to branch.

Threats

The greatest risks for the future survival of the Black Bearded Saki, also known as the Black Cuxiú are the loss and fragmentation of their habitat and hunting pressure.

IUCN Red list

Palm oil, meat, and soy deforestation

The black bearded saki is classified as Endangered on the Red List, with the loss and fragmentation of their forest habitat the primary threat to their survival. In the north-eastern Amazon, large-scale infrastructure projects—such as highways and the Tucurúi Dam—have destroyed vast tracts of forest, while smaller-scale logging and agriculture continue to fragment the remaining habitat. The forest, once a living, breathing entity, is being replaced by roads, fields, and settlements, leaving only isolated patches where the black bearded saki can survive. This fragmentation isolates populations, reduces genetic diversity, and increases the risk of disease and local extinction. The black bearded saki’s ability to adapt to habitat loss is limited, and their long-term survival depends on the protection and restoration of connected forest landscapes.

Hunting and poaching

Hunting for bushmeat is a persistent threat to the black bearded saki, with individuals targeted for their meat and, in some cases, their tails, which are used as dusters. The influx of people into previously uninhabited areas of the Amazon has increased hunting pressure, and the loss of habitat makes sakis more vulnerable to capture. Hunting disrupts social groups, reduces population numbers, and threatens the genetic health of remaining populations. The black bearded saki is already locally extinct in much of its original range, and continued hunting could push them closer to extinction.

Habitat fragmentation and climate change

The fragmentation of the Amazon’s forests has profound effects on the black bearded saki. Small, isolated forest patches limit the availability of food and mates, and groups living in these fragments often show reduced movement and vocalisation, as well as increased resting. Population densities in small fragments can increase, leading to higher rates of disease and parasite transmission. Climate change adds further pressure, altering rainfall patterns and the availability of key food sources. The black bearded saki’s world is becoming hotter, drier, and less predictable, with the forests they depend on shrinking year by year.

Diet

Black bearded sakis are among the most specialised seed dispersers in the Amazon, with seeds making up the majority of their diet. They spend at least 75% of their feeding time consuming seeds from more than 50 different fruit species, using their powerful jaws and specialised teeth to crack open hard-shelled fruits that few other animals can access. Their diet also includes ripe fruit, flowers, leaf stalks, and arthropods such as caterpillars, termites, and gall wasps. The black bearded saki’s foraging habits are closely tied to the seasonal availability of fruit, with peak feeding activity during the rainy season when many trees are fruiting. Their role as seed predators helps shape the composition of the forest, and their ability to exploit hard-shelled fruits gives them a unique niche in the ecosystem.

Reproduction and Mating

Little is known about the reproductive habits of black bearded sakis in the wild, but observations in captivity and from related species suggest that births occur at the beginning of the rainy season, typically in December or January. Gestation is estimated to last four to five months, and females give birth to a single infant. The mother is the primary caregiver, nursing and carrying her young until the infant is weaned at around three months of age. After weaning, infants remain close to their mothers for protection, and strong social bonds within the group help ensure the survival of young sakis. The reproductive success of black bearded sakis is closely tied to the availability of food and the stability of their forest home.

Geographic Range

The black bearded saki is endemic to the far eastern Amazon in Brazil, with a range restricted to a relatively small region from the Tocantins River in Pará east to around the Grajaú River in Maranhão. They inhabit primary terra firme forests and, occasionally, regenerating forests, rarely descending to the forest floor. The natural home range of a black bearded saki group can vary from 200 to 250 hectares, but habitat loss and fragmentation have reduced the size and connectivity of these ranges. The black bearded saki is already locally extinct in much of its original range, and the remaining populations are increasingly isolated and vulnerable.

FAQs

How many black bearded sakis are left?

Estimates suggest that fewer than 2,500 mature black bearded sakis remain in the wild, with populations continuing to decline due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and hunting. The species is already locally extinct in much of its original range, and the remaining individuals are scattered across increasingly isolated forest fragments.

What are the characteristics of the black bearded saki?

The black bearded saki is a medium-sized primate with thick, dark fur and a distinctive, flowing beard. Adults typically measure around 50 centimetres in length, with a tail nearly as long as their body, and weigh between 2.5 and 3.5 kilograms. They are highly specialised seed predators, with powerful jaws and unique dentition that allow them to crack open hard-shelled fruits. Black bearded sakis live in social groups, communicate through a variety of vocalisations, and spend most of their lives in the upper canopy.

What do black bearded saki eat?

Black bearded sakis are highly specialised seed predators, with seeds making up the vast majority of their diet. They spend at least 75% of their feeding time consuming seeds from more than 50 different fruit species, using their robust jaws and specialised teeth to crack open hard-shelled fruits that many other animals cannot access. Their diet also includes fleshy fruits and, to a lesser extent, insects. They are particularly fond of plants from the Sapotaceae, Lecythidaceae, and Chrysobalanaceae families. This dietary flexibility allows black bearded sakis to adapt to changing forest conditions, but their reliance on certain tree species makes them vulnerable to habitat loss and selective logging.

Is the black bearded saki a monkey?

Yes, the black bearded saki is a monkey—specifically, a New World monkey native to the Amazon rainforest. Unlike apes, monkeys have tails, and the black bearded saki’s long, muscular tail helps them balance as they move through the trees. They are part of the bearded saki group, known for their robust build, thick fur, and specialised feeding habits.

What are the main threats to the survival of the black bearded saki?

The main threats to the survival of the black bearded saki are habitat loss and fragmentation caused by infrastructure projects, logging, and agriculture, as well as hunting for bushmeat. The loss of forest isolates populations, reduces genetic diversity, and increases the risk of disease and local extinction. Hunting further reduces population numbers and disrupts social groups.

How does habitat fragmentation affect the black bearded saki?

Habitat fragmentation isolates black bearded saki groups, reducing the availability of food and mates and increasing the risk of disease. Groups living in small, isolated forest patches often show reduced movement and vocalisation, as well as increased resting. Population densities in small fragments can increase, leading to higher rates of disease and parasite transmission. The black bearded saki’s ability to adapt to habitat loss is limited, and their long-term survival depends on the protection and restoration of connected forest landscapes.

Do black bearded sakis make good pets?

Black bearded sakis do not make good pets. Captivity causes extreme stress, loneliness, and early death for these highly social, intelligent primates. The pet trade and hunting for bushmeat rip families apart and fuel extinction, as infants are stolen from their mothers and forced into unnatural, impoverished conditions. Protecting black bearded sakis means rejecting the illegal pet trade and supporting their right to live wild and free in their forest home.

Where do bearded sakis live?

Bearded sakis, including the black bearded saki, are endemic to the Amazon rainforest in South America. The black bearded saki specifically inhabits a small region in north-eastern Brazil, from the Tocantins River in Pará east to the Grajaú River in Maranhão. They prefer primary tropical rainforests with dense, continuous canopies, which provide safety from predators and abundant food sources. Their natural home ranges can vary from 200 to 250 hectares, but habitat fragmentation has dramatically reduced the size and connectivity of these ranges. Today, black bearded sakis are found only in scattered forest fragments, making their survival increasingly precarious.

What is the lifespan of a black bearded saki?

The lifespan of the black bearded saki is estimated to be up to 18 years in the wild, with sexual maturity typically reached at around 4 years of age. Females usually give birth every two years, and the long interval between births suggests a relatively slow reproductive rate. Closely related bearded saki species have been known to live up to 20 years in the wild, though specific data for the black bearded saki remains limited. Their longevity is closely tied to the quality and continuity of their forest habitat, with threats such as habitat destruction and hunting potentially reducing average lifespans in fragmented environments

Take Action!

Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife. Support indigenous-led conservation and agroecology. Reject products linked to deforestation, mining, and the illegal wildlife trade. Adopt a #vegan lifestyle and #BoycottMeat to protect wild and farmed animals alike. Every choice matters—stand with the black bearded saki and defend the forests of the Amazon.

You can support this beautiful animal

There are no known conservation activities for this animal. Share out this post to social media and join the #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife on social media to raise awareness

Further Information

Boubli, J. P., de Lima, E. M., Silva, M. N. F., & Silva Júnior, J. S. (2009). Bearded sakis in south-eastern Amazonia—back from the brink? Oryx, 43(2), 283–288. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/oryx/article/bearded-sakis-in-southeastern-amazoniaback-from-the-brink/703BC0853B02C2FB8017AD73EDA6BAB8

Neprimateconservancy.org. (n.d.). Black Bearded Saki, Chiropotes satanas. https://neprimateconservancy.org/black-bearded-saki/

Port-Carvalho, M., Muniz, C.C., Fialho, M.S., Alonso, A.C., Jerusalinsky, L. & Veiga, L.M. 2021. Chiropotes satanas (amended version of 2020 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T39956A191704509. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T39956A191704509.en. Downloaded on 05 June 2021.

van Roosmalen, M. G. M., Mittermeier, R. A., & Fleagle, J. G. (1988). Diet of the northern bearded saki (Chiropotes satanas chiropotes): A neotropical seed predator. American Journal of Primatology, 14(1), 11–35. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.1350140103

Veiga, L. M., & Ferrari, S. F. (2007). Conservation status of the black-bearded saki Chiropotes satanas in Maranhão, Brazil. International Journal of Primatology, 28(2), 347–358. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-007-9146-6

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Black bearded saki. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_bearded_saki

Black Bearded Saki Chiropotes satanas

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The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

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Varied White-fronted Capuchin Cebus versicolor

Varied White-fronted Capuchin Cebus versicolor

IUCN Status: Endangered

Locations: Colombia, primarily in the Magdalena Valley and Serranía de San Lucas.

The Varied White-Fronted Capuchin Cebus versicolor is an intelligent, tenacious and resourceful small primate endemic to the forests of Colombia. With their pale white faces, reddish-gold coats, they are both striking in appearance and crucial to their ecosystems. These capuchins play an essential role in seed dispersal, ensuring the health and regeneration of their forest homes.

Tragically, their populations are declining due to deforestation, hunting, and the illegal wildlife trade. Protecting these forests is critical to their survival. Support indigenous-led conservation, adopt a vegan lifestyle and #BoycottPalmOil and #Boycott4Wildlife to take meaningful action for these incredible primates.

https://youtu.be/kJU_W7DZJR4

Tenacious and resourceful Varied White-fronted Capuchins 🐵🐒 of #Colombia 🇨🇴 are #endangered due to #meat 🥩 and #palmoil #deforestation, hunting and the pet trade ☠️. Help them survive, be #vegan 🥦 #BoycottPalmOil 🌴⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/06/19/varied-white-fronted-capuchin-cebus-versicolor/

Varied White-fronted #Capuchins are great mums, the whole troop of #monkeys also teach infants 🩷🐒🌳 Yet their great parenting doesn’t stop #palmoil and #meat expansion in #Colombia 🇨🇴 #BoycottMeat be #vegan #BoycottPalmOil ☠️🥩🌴🪔⛔️☠️ #Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/06/19/varied-white-fronted-capuchin-cebus-versicolor/

Most of the natural ecosystems within its historical distribution area have been transformed and less than 20% of its habitat remains in the lowland forests and wetlands of the Magdalena River basin (Link et al. 2013). Pet trade, human-animal conflict due to crop foraging and subsistence hunting also pose imminent threats to wild populations of varied white-fronted capuchin monkeys.

IUCN RED LIST

Appearance and Behaviour

The Varied White-Fronted Capuchin is a small, agile primate, weighing between 2 and 4 kg, with a body length of 30–45 cm. Their reddish-gold coat contrasts beautifully with their pale white face, chest, and a dark crown atop their head. Their prehensile tail, often matching their body length, allows them to navigate their forested habitat with grace and precision.

These social primates live in groups of 10–30 individuals, led by a dominant alpha male member and multiple males and multiple females of varying ages. They are territorial and actively defend their territories against neighbouring troops.

They communicate using a combination of vocalisations, facial expressions, and gestures. Known for their intelligence, these capuchins have been observed using tools to access food and solve problems, showcasing their adaptability and resourcefulness.

Threats

The main threats to this capuchin are agriculture, urban sprawl, deforestation, increasing energy matrix, increasing road matrix habitat fragmentation, habitat reduction, hunting, harvesting and extensive areas of monoculture eucalyptus and pine.The Varied White-fronted Capuchin is highly threatened in the middle Magdalena region in Colombia partly due to the pervasive habitat loss to large scale cattle ranching, palm oil agro-industries and mining.

IUCN red list

Habitat loss for palm oil and meat agriculture

Deforestation poses the greatest threat to the Varied White-Fronted Capuchin. Over 95% of the original forest in Colombia’s Magdalena Valley has been destroyed, largely due to cattle ranching, palm oil plantations, and monoculture agriculture (IUCN, 2021). The loss of forest cover leaves capuchins with limited resources and isolates populations, reducing their ability to survive and reproduce.

Mining and Oil Extraction

Illegal gold mining and oil exploration are degrading capuchin habitats at an alarming rate. These activities clear vast areas of forest and pollute rivers with mercury and other toxins, destroying essential food and water sources. Roads built to support mining operations bring increased human activity into previously untouched areas, amplifying threats to these primates (Link et al., 2021).

Illegal Hunting

The Varied White-Fronted Capuchin is frequently targeted by hunters, primarily for bushmeat. In many regions of Colombia, subsistence hunting is driven by local communities’ reliance on wildlife for food. However, the scale of hunting has increased with growing human populations and access to previously remote areas through deforestation and mining-related infrastructure (Link et al., 2022). Hunting adult capuchins disrupts the species’ tightly bonded social groups, as these primates depend on cooperation for survival. The loss of key individuals, particularly group leaders or mothers, has severe consequences for their population stability.

The Illegal Wildlife and Pet Trade

The illegal pet trade poses an equally devastating threat to the Varied White-Fronted Capuchin. Infants are captured and the mothers killed. Infants are sold as exotic pets internationally, often via criminal networks and alongside illicit drugs and other criminal activities.

Diet

The Varied White-Fronted Capuchin is a tenacious and highly adaptable forager with a highly varied diet, feeding on fruits, seeds, insects, small vertebrates, and bird eggs. They regularly use tools to extract and manipulate food sources. This adaptability allows them to survive in different habitats and seasons. They are vital to their ecosystems, acting as seed dispersers that promote forest regeneration. However, deforestation reduces access to fruiting trees and other food sources, making survival increasingly challenging for this species.

Reproduction and Mating

These capuchins live in complex social groups where cooperation plays a key role in raising young. Females typically give birth to a single infant after a gestation period of about 160 days. Mothers are the primary caregivers, but other group members often assist with caring for infants, a behaviour known as alloparenting. This social structure is vital to the group’s cohesion and the survival of offspring. However, hunting and habitat destruction disrupt these dynamics, making population recovery more difficult.

Geographic Range

The Varied White-Fronted Capuchin is found exclusively in Colombia, with populations concentrated in the Magdalena Valley and Serranía de San Lucas. Historically, their range extended across vast lowland and montane forests. Today, extensive deforestation and human activity have confined them to fragmented forest patches, leaving them vulnerable to extinction.

FAQ

When was the Varied White-Fronted Capuchin identified as a separate species?

The Varied White-Fronted Capuchin was identified as a distinct species in 2012 following genetic analysis. Significant differences in mitochondrial DNA separated them from the White-Fronted Capuchin (Cebus albifrons), underscoring their unique ecological role and conservation needs.

What are the threats to the Varied White-Fronted Capuchin?

The Varied White-Fronted Capuchin is threatened by habitat los, hunting, and the illegal pet trade. Deforestation for agriculture, palm oil plantations, and cattle ranching has destroyed most of their habitat. Hunting for bushmeat and capturing infants for the pet trade further endanger their populations.

What is the Varied White-Fronted Capuchin’s conservation status?

The Varied White-Fronted Capuchin is listed as Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This classification reflects their high risk of extinction due to habitat destruction and population fragmentation.

What is the Varied White-Fronted Capuchin’s physical appearance?

The Varied White-Fronted Capuchin has a reddish-gold coat, a light chest, and a dark crown on their head. Their expressive brown eyes and flattened nose enhance their distinct appearance. Their prehensile tail, matching their body length, is critical for navigating their arboreal habitat.

Where does the Varied White-Fronted Capuchin live?

The Varied White-Fronted Capuchin lives in Colombia, primarily in the Río Magdalena Valley and Serranía de San Lucas. They inhabit lowland moist forests and palm swamps, but habitat destruction has confined them to fragmented patches, making their survival increasingly precarious.

Take Action!

Help protect the Varied White-Fronted Capuchin by supporting indigenous-led conservation initiatives. Boycott products linked to deforestation, such as palm oil, and consider adopting a #vegan lifestyle to reduce habitat destruction. Your choices can make a difference — #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

You can support this beautiful animal

There are no known conservation activities for this animal. Share out this post to social media and join the #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife on social media to raise awareness

Further Information

Donate to help orphaned capuchins that are rescued from traffickers. At Merazonia Wildlife Sanctuary

Link, A., Boubli, J.P. & Lynch Alfaro, J.W. 2021. Cebus versicolor. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T39952A81282279. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T39952A81282279.en. Downloaded on 06 June 2021.

De Aquino, I., González-Santoyo, I., Link, A., & Muñoz-Delgado, J. (2022). An exploratory study of cooperation: Food-sharing behaviour in wild varied white-fronted capuchin monkeys (Cebus versicolor) in Central Colombia. Behaviour, 159(13-14), 1285–1300. https://doi.org/10.1163/1568539X-bja10180

Link, A., et al. (2022). Primate diversity and population status in the Serranía de San Lucas, Colombia: A priority area for primate conservation in northern South America. Primate Conservation, 36, 63–73. Retrieved from http://www.primate-sg.org/storage/pdf/PC36_Link_et_al_Serrania_de_San_Lucas.pdf.

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Varied White-Fronted Capuchin. In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varied_white-fronted_capuchin

World Land Trust. (n.d.). Varied White-Fronted Capuchin. Retrieved from https://www.worldlandtrust.org/species/mammals/varied-white-fronted-capuchin/.

Varied White-fronted Capuchin Cebus versicolor

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

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https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

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Tana River Mangabey Cercocebus galeritus

Tana River Mangabey Cercocebus galeritus

Red List: Critically Endangered

Location: Kenya

This species is found only along a fragmented 60 km stretch of floodplain forest near the lower Tana River in south-eastern Kenya.

The Tana River Mangabey Cercocebus galeritus is a long-faced and slender old world monkey of #Kenya listed as Critically Endangered due to ongoing habitat destruction, dam construction, logging, and the degradation of floodplain forest ecosystems. Once protected by the Tana River #Primate Reserve, these #monkeys despite being key seed dispersers in their ecosystem are now more vulnerable than ever after the legal de-gazetting of their habitat. With only around 1,000 individuals remaining, this highly social and adaptable primate faces a devastating future unless urgent action is taken. Use your wallet as a weapon to end the destruction of their home. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan #BoycottMeat

Tana River Mangabeys🐒 are an icon of #Kenya 🇰🇪. These svelte, intelligent #primates are critically endangered in #Kenyan #forests due to dams, forest #fires and #agriculture. Help them and 🌴🔥🧐⛔️#Boycott4Wildlife at the supermarket @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/03/29/tana-river-mangabey-cercocebus-galeritus/

Male Tana River #Mangabey #monkeys perform ‘whoop-gobble’ vocalisations at dawn. They’re critically #endangered by #agriculture #deforestation, hunting and hydroelectric #dams. Fight back for them and 🌴🔥🤮☠️🚜🧐🚫#Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/03/29/tana-river-mangabey-cercocebus-galeritus/

Appearance and Behaviour

Tana River Mangabeys are medium-sized monkeys with long, light grey fur and cream-coloured underparts. Their forearms and hands are darker, and their dark grey face is framed by a prominent crest of fur parted down the centre. Their distinctive white eyelids contrast against their darker skin, playing a key role in their complex communication.

These monkeys are diurnal and semi-terrestrial, often seen foraging on the ground, though they sleep high in tree canopies for safety. Social groups are large and structured, with up to 36 individuals living together in mixed-sex groups. Males often perform territorial calls in the early morning, and loud “whoop-gobble” vocalisations can carry over a kilometre, helping to space out neighbouring groups. Their behaviour is deeply affected by food availability: in times of plenty, groups interact peacefully, while in lean months, they grow more territorial.

Diet

Tana River Mangabeys are primarily frugivorous monkeys but display great dietary flexibility. Around 46% of their annual diet consists of seeds, with another 25% made up of fruit. They also consume stems, young leaves, fungi, and insects. During the dry season, when food is scarce, they range further and diversify their diet.

They rely heavily on trees like Ficus sycomorus and Phoenix reclinata for food, both of which fruit at times when other resources are limited. Their powerful jaws and thick molar enamel allow them to crack tough seeds and nuts, and their shortened faces provide increased bite force—an adaptation that suits their opportunistic feeding strategy.

Reproduction and Mating

Tana River Mangabeys live in polygynous groups of monkeys, where one dominant male typically has access to multiple females. Females display conspicuous monthly estrous swellings to signal fertility, and many also exhibit post-conception swellings. These false signals may confuse males and encourage multiple males to invest in infant care, increasing the infant’s survival chances.

Gestation for these monkeys lasts around 180 days, with births most common between August and April. A single infant is born, and the mother is initially left undisturbed by the group. After two months, infants begin to explore and socialise with others. Females likely reach sexual maturity around age three and begin breeding between six and seven, while males mature slightly later.

Geographic Range

Tana River Mangabeys are endemic to Kenya, confined to around 27 forest fragments along a narrow corridor of floodplain forest near the lower Tana River. This range spans from Nkanjonja in the north to Hewani in the south, across an altitudinal range of just 20–40 metres above sea level.

Historically, this species may have had a broader distribution. However, fragmentation due to deforestation, dam construction, and agriculture has severely restricted their movement and isolated populations. Forest corridors are no longer structurally connected, although some functional connectivity remains through limited travel between fragments.

Threats

Tana River Mangabeys live in the flood-plain forest, riverine gallery forest, and the adjacent woodland and bushland of Kenya (Wieczkowski and Butynski 2013). Their abundance is highly correlated with the spatial characteristics of the forests. They are semi-terrestrial monkeys that can travel up to 1 km through non-forested habitat between forest patches (Wieczkowski 2010).

The rapid decline of Tana River Mangabeys has several causes including: Forest clearance for agriculture.

IUCN red list

• Dam construction and water diversion: The building of hydroelectric dams has altered natural flood cycles and disrupted groundwater levels vital to the mangabeys’ habitat. The upcoming High Grand Falls Dam, one of Africa’s largest, threatens to irreparably damage the ecosystem.

• Deforestation and agriculture: Large swathes of gallery forest have been cleared for farming, drastically reducing the species’ habitat. An estimated 50% of the original forest has been lost in the last 20 years.

• Palm exploitation: Phoenix reclinata, a key food tree, is overharvested by local communities for palm wine, thatching, and mats, threatening both food security and habitat structure for the mangabeys.

• Logging and wildfires: Unregulated cutting of canopy and sub-canopy trees for housing and fuelwood, alongside uncontrolled fires, further degrades the forest and isolates populations.

• Human Persecution: As natural resources diminish, some mangabeys are are seen as pests and are persecuted and hunted for raiding crops—a threat expected to grow with increasing human-wildlife conflict.

• Political instability and poor law enforcement: The de-gazetting of the Tana River Primate Reserve in 2007 removed legal protections, exacerbating habitat destruction and reducing conservation oversight.

Take Action!

The Tana River Mangabey is on the brink. If their fragmented forests are lost, so too is this charismatic and intelligent monkey. Support indigenous-led conservation and agroecology efforts in East Africa. Demand the full reinstatement of protected habitat in Kenya. Boycott palm oil and refuse to support the industries driving deforestation and dam construction in critical floodplain ecosystems. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan #BoycottMeat

FAQs

Why are Tana River Mangabeys endangered?

Their biggest threats are habitat loss and fragmentation, largely due to dam construction, logging, agriculture, and palm exploitation. Political instability and poor conservation enforcement have worsened their chances of survival (Butynski & Mwangi, 1994; Wieczkowski & Butynski, 2013).

What are the predators of the Tana River Mangabey?

Natural predators include African rock pythons (Python sebae), crowned eagles (Stephanoaetus coronatus), martial eagles (Polemaetus bellicosus), and Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) (Wikipedia, n.d.).

In which country are Tana River Mangabeys found?

They are found exclusively in Kenya.

What do Tana River Mangabeys eat?

Their diet includes fruits, seeds, leaves, insects, stems, and fungi. They rely heavily on species like Ficus sycomorus and Phoenix reclinata (Homewood, 1978; Maingi, 2019).

Do Tana River Mangabeys make good pets?

Tana River Mangabeys are highly social and intelligent primates. Keeping them as pets is cruel and contributes to their extinction. Trapping them destroys wild populations, causes immense suffering, and breaks apart family groups. If you care about these animals, never support the exotic pet trade—advocate for habitat protection instead.

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

Butynski, T.M., de Jong, Y.A., Wieczkowski, J. & King, J. 2020. Cercocebus galeritus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T4200A17956330. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T4200A17956330.en. Downloaded on 26 March 2021.

Homewood, K. M. (1978). Feeding strategy of the Tana mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus galeritus) (Mammalia: Primates). Journal of Zoology, 186(3), 375–391. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1978.tb03926.x

Kimuyu, D. M., Wahungu, G. M., & Otieno, D. O. (2012). Seed dispersal by Tana River mangabeys in fragmented gallery forests. Open Journal of Ecology, 2(1), 6–11. https://doi.org/10.4236/oje.2012.21002

Maingi, C. K. (2019). Forest fragmentation and anthropogenic disturbance: Implications on plant foods and behaviour of the Tana River mangabey. University of Nairobi. http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/107320

Maingi, C. K., Githaiga, J. M., Kanya, J. I., & Kivai, S. M. (2020). Anthropogenic activities and influence on behaviour of the Tana River mangabey (Cercocebus galeritus) in two forest fragments in Lower Tana River, Kenya. African Primates, 14(1), 1–16. Retrieved from https://static1.1.sqspcdn.com/static/f/1200343/28385233/1608487219480/AP+Vol+14+-+Maingi+et+al.pdf

Wieczkowski, J. (2010). Tana River mangabey use of nonforest areas: Functional connectivity in a fragmented landscape in Kenya. Biotropica, 42(5), 598–604. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7429.2010.00627.x

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Tana River Mangabey. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tana_River_mangabey

Tana River Mangabey Cercocebus galeritus

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

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Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

Read more

Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

Read more

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Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

Read more

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

Read more

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

Read more

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

#Africa #Agriculture #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottMeat #BoycottPalmOil #CriticallyEndangeredSpecies #dams #deforestation #endangered #fire #fires #forests #ForgottenAnimals #humanWildlifeConflict #hunting #hydroelectric #Kenya #Kenyan #Mammal #Mangabey #mangroves #monkey #monkeys #PalmOil #Primate #primates #SeedDispersers #TanaRiverMangabeyCercocebusGaleritus #vegan #wildfires

Blue-billed Curassow Crax alberti

Blue-billed Curassow Crax alberti

IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
Location: Colombia

The Blue-billed Curassow is endemic to Colombia, with remaining populations in the tropical forests of the Magdalena Valley, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and the Serranía de San Lucas. These birds inhabit lowland humid forests and fragmented secondary woodlands, clinging to survival in one of the world’s most deforested biodiversity hotspots.

The endearing Blue-billed Curassow Crax alberti is a unique bird of #Colombia currently classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List due to rapid habitat loss for multiple different cash crops and intense hunting pressures. Less than 2,500 mature individuals remain, with many subpopulations highly fragmented and isolated. A shy, ground-dwelling bird, Blue-billed Curassows plays an essential role in forest regeneration through #seeddispersal. But #timber, #meat, #goldmining, #coca plantations, and #palmoil agriculture have devoured more than 90% of their original range. Without urgent conservation action, this #bird faces imminent #extinction. Always choose products that are 100% #palmoilfree and go #vegan BoycottPalmOil, always #BoycottGold #Boycott4Wildlife

https://youtu.be/4yd5AvFqxRM?si=WoGaoOWpW_ot4o3e

Stunning turkey-like #birds, blue-billed #Currasows 🪿🦜 are critically #endangered in #Colombia 🇨🇴 due to #PalmOil, illegal #Coca, soy and meat #deforestation. Help them and be #vegan 🥩🩸⛔️ #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🩸🚜🔥🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/18/blue-billed-curassow-crax-alberti/

A beautiful and colourful #bird 🦜🕊️ the blue-billed #Currasow of #Colombia faces a plethora of serious threats incl. illegal #GoldMining 🩸🔥⛔️ and #PalmOil. Help them when and #BoycottGold #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🩸🚜🔥🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/18/blue-billed-curassow-crax-alberti/

Appearance and Behaviour

The Blue-billed Curassow is a striking, turkey-sized bird with glossy black plumage in males and a striking pale blue cere at the base of their bill, from which the species takes their name. Females are distinguished by their rufous-brown underparts and barred tails. Both sexes feature a curled crest of black feathers atop their heads, adding to their dramatic appearance (Shanahan, 2017).

They are shy and elusive birds, preferring to forage alone or in pairs along the forest floor. Observations in El Paujil Bird Reserve noted that they forage by scratching leaf litter for fallen fruit, seeds, invertebrates, shoots, and occasionally carrion or even terrestrial crabs (Urueña, 2008a; Melo et al., 2008). Roosting sites are usually located in tree foliage close to feeding areas and reused for several days (Hirschfeld, 2008).

Diet

The Blue-billed Curassow is an omnivore. Its diet is mainly composed of fruit and seeds, but it also consumes invertebrates such as insects, shoots, and occasionally carrion. A recent survey documented seed consumption from at least 15 plant species, as well as one record of terrestrial crab consumption (Urueña, 2008a; Quevedo et al., 2005).

Reproduction and Mating

Breeding occurs primarily in the dry season, with nests observed between December and March. However, studies in the El Paujil Bird Reserve noted a possible second breeding season from July to September (Urueña, 2008b). Clutches typically contain two to three eggs. As with other cracids, both parents may play a role in chick rearing. In the wild, families with chicks are typically observed during March through August (Cuervo & Salaman, 1999).

Geographic Range

Endemic to Colombia, the Blue-billed Curassow once roamed vast tracts of humid lowland forest throughout the northwestern Andes. Now, it persists only in fragmented patches across the Magdalena Valley, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and the Serranía de San Lucas (Valencia et al., 2023; IUCN, 2023).

Historically, over 90% of its potential range has been cleared or degraded due to deforestation for agriculture, coca plantations, and ranching (Melo et al., 2008). One GIS analysis estimated a 39% loss in potential distribution between 1986 and 2002 alone, with an annual deforestation rate of 2.4% (Melo et al., 2008).

Threats

• Deforestation for agriculture and livestock is the most significant threat to the survival of the Blue-billed Curassow. Almost 90% of their tropical forest habitat in northern Colombia has been cleared or severely degraded due to cattle ranching, rice cultivation, cotton production, palm oil, soy and coca plantations. These activities have fragmented the curassow’s range into isolated patches too small to support viable populations.

• The illegal pet trade and commercial hunting pose a grave threat. Curassows are hunted for meat and occasionally captured for the illegal pet trade. Surveys in Antioquia reported at least 57 individuals killed between 2002 and 2003, mostly during the breeding season, exacerbating their population decline (Melo et al., 2008). Hunting pressure remains high in rural communities surrounding the few remaining forest patches (Cabarcas et al., 2008).

• Political instability and post-conflict development have further imperilled the species. Ironically, decades of civil conflict prevented large-scale deforestation in some remote regions by limiting access to armed groups. However, peace agreements have led to rapid expansion of agriculture, mining, and logging into formerly inaccessible forests, especially in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and Serranía de San Lucas—key strongholds for the species (Shanahan, 2017; Negret et al., 2017).

• Illegal gold mining and drug production have escalated forest destruction and brought with them roads, settlements, and deforestation. The 1996 gold rush in the Serranía de San Lucas resulted in widespread logging and land clearance for coca production. Subsequent government herbicide spraying has further damaged ecosystems essential for the curassow’s survival (Cuervo & Salaman, 1999; Melo et al., 2008).

• Habitat fragmentation has reduced the availability of forest patches larger than 3 km², which are considered the minimum size needed to support a viable population of Crax alberti (Melo et al., 2008). This has severely disrupted dispersal, gene flow, and nesting success.

• Infrastructure projects, such as highways, act as barriers between populations. For example, the Santa Marta-Riohacha Highway isolates birds in Tayrona National Park from those in the nearby Sierra Nevada foothills, reducing connectivity and increasing local extinction risks (Strewe et al., 2010).

• Low reproductive success in captivity threatens the future of ex-situ conservation. As of 2021, there were only 27 Blue-billed Curassows in Colombian zoos, most of them ageing. Only one male was actively breeding, making captive-breeding efforts challenging and precarious (Dueñas Flórez, 2021).

Take Action!

Help protect the Blue-billed Curassow by refusing to support deforestation-linked products and industries. Boycott palm oil, logging, and industrial meat farming, all of which fuel forest loss. Support indigenous-led conservation efforts in Colombia and ecotourism models that empower local communities while preserving habitat. Take action and use your wallet as a weapon! #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan #BoycottMeat

FAQs

How many Blue-billed Curassows are left in the wild?

According to the IUCN Red List, there are estimated to be between 150 and 700 individuals remaining in the wild (IUCN, 2023) they are tragically critically endangered. Other sources suggest the total may be as high as 2,500 mature individuals when including fragmented populations across different reserves and national parks.

What is the lifespan of a Blue-billed Curassow?

In the wild, the lifespan is not well documented due to their elusive nature, but it is thought to be around 15–20 years, similar to other large cracids. In captivity, individuals may live longer depending on conditions and veterinary care (Melo et al., 2008).

What are the predators of the Blue-billed Curassow?

Natural predators include large birds of prey and terrestrial mammals such as jaguars and ocelots. However, human hunting remains the dominant threat, particularly targeting adults during breeding season and young birds for food and captivity (Melo et al., 2008; Cabarcas et al., 2008).

Why is the Blue-billed Curassow critically endangered?

This species has suffered catastrophic declines due to habitat destruction, especially from logging, palm oil agriculture, coca plantations, and mining. Additionally, hunting for bushmeat and egg collection has further reduced population numbers. The fragmentation of remaining populations also increases their vulnerability to extinction (Valencia et al., 2023).

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

BirdLife International. 2018. Crax alberti (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22678525A127590617. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22678525A127590617.en. Downloaded on 18 February 2021.

Dueñas Flórez, M. (2021, August 27). Blue-billed Curassow (Crax alberti): Conservation efforts in Colombia. Association of Avian Veterinarians. https://www.aav.org/blogpost/1525799/375769/Blue-billed-Curassow-Crax-alberti–Conservation-efforts-in-Colombia

Melo, I., Ochoa-Quintero, J. M., López-Arévalo, H. F., & Velásquez-Sandino, P. (2008). Potential habitat loss and subsistence hunting of Blue-billed Curassow (Crax alberti), a Colombian critically endangered endemic bird. Caldasia, 30(1), 161–177.

Shanahan, M. (2017, November 2). Will the bird that dodged a bullet pay the price of peace? Mongabay. Retrieved from https://news.mongabay.com/2017/11/will-the-bird-that-dodged-a-bullet-pay-the-price-of-peace/

Valencia, I. F., Kattan, G. H., Valenzuela, L., Caro, L., Arbelaez, F., & Forero-Medina, G. (2023). Evaluation of alternative conservation strategies for the blue-billed curassow Crax alberti in the Middle Magdalena Valley, Colombia. Oryx, 57(2), 239–247. doi:10.1017/S0030605322000060

Blue-billed Curassow Crax alberti

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

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2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

Read more

Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

Read more

Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

Read more

Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

Read more

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

Read more

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

Read more

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

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Malayan Tapir Tapirus indicus

Malayan Tapir Tapirus indicus

IUCN Red List Status: Endangered

Locations: Thailand, Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra (Indonesia)

Found in tropical lowland and montane forests of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula, with isolated populations in western Thailand and the Thai-Myanmar border region.

The Malay Tapir is listed as Endangered due to a severe and ongoing population decline of over 50% in the past 36 years. This is driven primarily by deforestation from palm oil expansion, fragmentation of habitat, road kills, and accidental deaths in illegal snares. Their forest homes are being rapidly replaced by palm oil monoculture plantations, especially in Sumatra and Malaysia, leaving fewer than 2,500 mature individuals in the wild. Despite being important seed dispersers in their ecosystem they face a dire future, particularly in Sumatra where remaining tapir populations are critically low and fragmented. Use your wallet as a weapon—#BoycottPalmOil and demand forest protection to stop the extinction of these elusive and important forest dwellers. #Boycott4Wildlife

https://youtu.be/WdrwMWbzQTw

Gentle Malayan #Tapirs are gorgeous creatures living in #Sumatra #Myanmar #Thailand #Indonesia they are endangered by #palmoil #deforestation. Say no to their #extinction when you shop #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🪔🤮💀🔥🙈🧐🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/malay-tapir-tapirus-indicus/

Baby Malayan #Tapirs have spotty coats to blend into the forests of #Malaysia 🇲🇾 #Indonesia 🇮🇩 They face big threats from #PalmOil #Ecocide and the illegal wildlife trade. Fight for them #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🪔🤮💀🔥🙈🧐🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/malay-tapir-tapirus-indicus/

Population declines are estimated to have been greater than 50% in the past three generations (36 years) driven primarily by large scale conversion of tapir habitat to palm oil plantations and other human dominated land-use. The main reason for declines in the past is habitat conversion, with large tracts land being converted into palm oil plantations. However, increasingly as other large ‘prey” species decline in the area hunters are beginning to look towards tapir as a food source.

iucn RED lIST

Appearance and Behaviour

The Malay Tapir, also known as the Asian Tapir, is instantly recognisable due to their striking black-and-white colouring—black at the front and back with a pale saddle across the midsection, a form of disruptive camouflage in low-light forest. They are the largest of the tapir species and the only one found in Asia. Solitary and nocturnal, Malay Tapirs are shy browsers that patrol large territories, communicating through high-pitched whistles and squeals. Recent studies have revealed they have individually distinct vocalisations, likely used for identification and social interactions in dense forest (Walb et al., 2021).

Diet

Malay Tapirs are generalist herbivores, browsing on more than 380 species of plants. They prefer young shoots, leaves, fruits, and twigs, often breaking branches to access foliage. Though not considered strong seed dispersers due to seed chewing, their selective feeding plays an important ecological role in maintaining forest structure.

Reproduction and Mating

Breeding is non-seasonal, with females giving birth to a single calf after an 11–13 month gestation. Calves are born with brown and white striped coats, providing excellent camouflage. They stay with their mother for up to two years. In captivity, a rare case of twin births has been documented, suggesting the potential for delayed implantation.

Geographic Range

Malay Tapirs are distributed in three main regions:

• Sumatra, Indonesia: Southern and central regions, with highly fragmented and declining populations.
• Peninsular Malaysia and Southern Thailand: This region supports the largest and most stable population, though southern forest fragments are facing increasing isolation.
• Thailand–Myanmar border: Populations here are small and fragmented, primarily surviving in transboundary protected areas such as the Western Forest Complex and Taninthayi Range. The species is presumed extinct in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.

Threats

Palm oil deforestation

The conversion of lowland tropical rainforest into palm oil plantations remains the single largest threat to Malay Tapirs. Their preferred habitat—dense, moist forests—is being cleared at an alarming rate, particularly in Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. This habitat destruction not only reduces the available range but also isolates populations into small, disconnected forest fragments. These plantations also increase human-wildlife conflict and create ecological dead zones that offer no viable resources for tapirs to survive.

Habitat fragmentation and road kills

As forests are dissected by roads and settlements, Malay Tapirs are forced to cross dangerous terrain in search of food or mates. This leads to a growing number of road-related mortalities. In Malaysia alone, more than 50 displaced tapirs were recorded from 2011–2013, with a third of them killed by vehicles. These roads also hinder genetic flow between populations, worsening inbreeding risks and reducing overall population viability.

Illegal snaring and accidental trapping

Tapirs are often the unintended victims of wire snares set for other species. These traps are indiscriminate and deadly, frequently causing injuries or deaths. In Sumatra, tapirs have been killed or maimed by these snares, often set by local hunters targeting wild boar or deer. Although not the primary target, tapirs are especially vulnerable due to their large size and solitary movements through the forest.

Increased hunting pressure

While Malay Tapirs are traditionally not hunted in most of their range due to cultural taboos or lack of desirability as bushmeat, this is beginning to change. As populations of more desirable prey like deer decline, hunters are starting to target tapirs out of desperation. In some areas, such as Sumatra, tapir meat has been sold in local markets. There are also concerns that declining rhino populations may prompt poachers to kill tapirs and sell their body parts as ‘placebo rhino’.

Live capture and illegal wildlife trade

In Indonesia, the capture of tapirs for private collections and zoos was once common, with reports of dozens of animals passing through institutions like Pekanbaru Zoo since the 1990s. Although this trade has diminished in recent years, likely due to increased awareness and regulations, any resurgence in live capture—whether for display or illegal sale—would place enormous pressure on already fragile wild populations.

Inbreeding and isolation in small subpopulations

Many of the remaining tapir populations are isolated in small forest patches, especially in southern Peninsular Malaysia and parts of Thailand. Subpopulations often contain fewer than 15 individuals, far below the viable threshold for long-term survival. Without corridors or human-managed gene flow, these populations suffer from inbreeding, reduced fertility, and increased risk of extinction due to random events or disease.

Loss of salt lick access

Salt licks are vital for tapirs to supplement their mineral intake, especially in areas with a plant-based diet low in sodium. However, the loss of access to natural salt licks due to forest clearance, road construction, and plantation expansion has a direct impact on their health and social behaviours. In Malaysia’s Belum-Temengor Forest Complex, research shows tapirs rely heavily on these mineral sources, often revisiting them every few weeks. The loss of salt licks fragments their home ranges and reduces fitness.

Unprotected habitat in Myanmar

In Myanmar, where only around 5% of the land is protected, much of the tapir’s habitat lies outside conservation zones and is increasingly targeted for rubber and palm oil expansion. Civil unrest and land tenure disputes further complicate conservation efforts, limiting access for researchers and increasing the likelihood of habitat destruction. Even where tapirs are present, the lack of formal protection makes long-term survival uncertain.

FAQs

How many Malay Tapirs are left in the wild?

Current estimates suggest fewer than 2,500 mature individuals remain globally, with some subpopulations containing as few as 10–15 individuals (IUCN, 2017). Populations in Sumatra are estimated at fewer than 500 individuals and continue to decline due to deforestation and snaring.

What is the average lifespan of Malayan Tapirs?

In the wild, Malay Tapirs may live around 25–30 years. In captivity, they can exceed this range under veterinary care, though stress-related illnesses are common.

Are Malay Tapirs hunted?

Although not traditionally consumed in Malaysia or Thailand, tapirs are sometimes hunted for meat or mistaken for other animals. In some areas, displaced tapirs are also killed in retaliation after wandering into plantations or villages. Live trade for zoos and illegal private collections was once common, particularly in Indonesia, but this appears to have declined in recent years.

?Do Malay Tapirs make good pets?

Absolutely not. Keeping a Malay Tapir as a pet is incredibly cruel and illegal. These solitary forest dwellers are endangered and belong in their natural habitat – deep in the rainforest. Capturing or trading them for private ownership contributes directly to their extinction and causes immense suffering.

Why are salt licks important to Malayan Tapirs?

Recent studies have shown that Malay Tapirs frequently visit salt licks to supplement their diet with essential minerals. These areas may also serve social functions, where male and female tapirs overlap and interact (Tawa et al., 2021).

Take Action!

• Boycott all products containing palm oil every time you shop. Learn how.
• Support rewilding and indigenous-led conservation efforts in Southeast Asia.
• Campaign for forest protection policies across Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.
• Demand accountability from zoos and wildlife traffickers involved in the live trade of endangered animals.
• #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife Go #Vegan and #BoycottMeat

Further Information

Pinondang, I. M. R., Deere, N. J., Voigt, M., Ardiantiono, Subagyo, A., Moßbrucker, A., … Struebig, M. J. (2024). Safeguarding Asian tapir habitat in Sumatra, Indonesia. Oryx, 58(4), 451–461. doi:10.1017/S0030605323001576

Tawa, Y., Mohd Sah, S. A., & Kohshima, S. (2021). Salt-lick use by wild Malayan tapirs (Tapirus indicus): Behaviour and social interactions at salt licks. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 67, 91. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-021-01536-9

Traeholt, C., Novarino, W., bin Saaban, S., Shwe, N.M., Lynam, A., Zainuddin, Z., Simpson, B. & bin Mohd, S. 2016. Tapirus indicus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T21472A45173636. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T21472A45173636.en. Downloaded on 04 February 2021.

Walb, R., von Fersen, L., Meijer, T., & Hammerschmidt, K. (2021). Individual Differences in the Vocal Communication of Malayan Tapirs (Tapirus indicus) Considering Familiarity and Relatedness. Animals, 11(4), 1026. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11041026

Malay Conservation Project

Malay Tapir Tapirus indicus

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3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

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#Boycott4wildlife #BoycottMeat #BoycottPalmOil #bushmeat #deforestation #ecocide #EndangeredSpecies #extinction #herbivore #herbivores #hunting #illegalPetTrade #Indonesia #Laos #MalayTapirTapirusIndicus #Malaysia #Mammal #Myanmar #palmoil #SeedDispersers #seeddispersal #Sumatra #Tapir #Tapirs #Thailand #ungulate #ungulates #vegan #Vietnam #wildlifetrade

Southern White-cheeked Gibbon Nomascus siki

Southern White-cheeked Gibbon Nomascus siki

Red List Status: Critically Endangered

Location: Central Laos (east of Mekong River), Central Vietnam (Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri Provinces)

In the misty canopies of Southeast Asian forests, where ancient trees reach towards clouded peaks and dawn breaks with haunting melodies, Southern White-cheeked Gibbons swing through their rapidly shrinking world.

Southern White-cheeked #Gibbons stand among Southeast Asia’s most melodic #primates, their haunting territorial songs echoing through evergreen forests at dawn. These remarkable apes face an 80% population decline over three generations as #rubber plantations, agricultural expansion, and #hunting devastate their homeland. #Vietnam has lost 15% of its forest cover in just 15 years and could lose another 45% by 2050, while #Laos faces similar destruction. With fewer than 425 groups remaining in fragmented patches, these singing #apes teeter on #extinction’s edge. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

Southern White-cheeked #Gibbons 🐒🐵 sing together in regional dialects 🪇🎶🎷 and live in #Cambodia #Laos #Vietnam. They’re critically #endangered on due to #rubber #palmoil #deforestation and hunting. Help them and #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🚫 @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/01/29/southern-white-cheeked-gibbon-nomascus-siki/

Appearance and Behaviour

Southern White-cheeked Gibbons display striking sexual dimorphism that transforms with age. Juveniles begin life as light brown infants, turning black after weaning. Adult males remain jet black with distinctive white patches framing their mouths, while females develop rich brown colouring with delicate white facial edging. Their long, powerful arms span up to 1.5 metres, perfectly adapted for their brachiating lifestyle.

These gibbons begin each day with spectacular duet songs that can be heard up to 2 kilometres away. Mated pairs sing together to defend territories and strengthen bonds, their regional accents distinguishing different populations. Southern White-cheeked Gibbons are strictly arboreal, spending their entire lives in the canopy where they move with breathtaking grace and speed.

Diet

Southern White-cheeked Gibbons are primarily frugivorous, spending 33% of their day feeding on diverse forest fruits that ripen throughout the year. They supplement their diet with tender leaves, young shoots, and flowers, occasionally capturing small prey like lizards or Finlayson’s squirrels. These gibbons provide a critical ecosystem service by being seed dispersers, carrying viable seeds in their digestive systems across vast territories before depositing them in new locations through their faeces. Their feeding activities help regenerate forest biodiversity across their 37.9-hectare home ranges.

Reproduction and Mating

Southern White-cheeked Gibbons form monogamous pairs that mate for life, raising their young together in tight family units. Females typically give birth to their first offspring between seven and eight years of age. Because raising young is extremely demanding, both parents share childcare duties, and mothers wait until their current offspring becomes relatively independent before having another infant. Families consist of two parents, a juvenile, and an infant at any given time. Young gibbons leave their parents’ territory once they reach maturity between three and six years of age.

Geographic Range

Southern White-cheeked Gibbons inhabit a restricted range in central Laos east of the Mekong River and central Vietnam’s mountainous provinces. Their historical distribution extended from the Nam Theun and Rao Nay rivers in the north to the Banghiang and Thach Han rivers in the south.

In Vietnam, populations are heavily fragmented and scattered, while in Laos populations of gibbons remain larger. Key populations survive in protected areas including Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Nakai-Nam Theun National Protected Area.

Threats

Timber, rubber and palm oil deforestation

Agricultural expansion converts primary forests into farmland and human settlements, destroying the tall broadleaf evergreen forests Southern White-cheeked Gibbons require for survival. Logging operations target luxury timber species, selectively removing the largest trees that provide crucial fruiting resources and nesting sites.

Rubber cultivation destroys the fruiting trees that sustain gibbon populations while fragmenting territories below viable thresholds for family groups. The conversion process typically involves clear-cutting entire forest sections, eliminating decades of ecological relationships in mere weeks. In Cambodia’s Virachey National Park, large areas have been cleared for rubber production in recent years, particularly along the eastern borders where gibbons once thrived.

Infrastructure development and roads

Infrastructure development opens previously inaccessible areas to human exploitation, bringing roads, settlements, and hunting pressure into formerly secure habitats. The fragmentation creates isolated forest patches too small to support viable gibbon populations, leading to local extinctions across their range. Agricultural conversion eliminates the continuous canopy connections these strictly arboreal primates need for movement and foraging.

Hunting and wildlife trade

Traditional medicine practitioners highly value Southern White-cheeked Gibbons for their body parts. Opportunistic hunting with firearms targets gibbons alongside other wildlife, often killing entire family groups when hunters encounter them.

The illegal pet trade tears infant gibbons from their families, condemning them to lives of isolation and psychological trauma in captivity. Local communities hunt gibbons for bushmeat, viewing them as readily available protein sources. Gun ownership and hunting access have increased significantly with infrastructure development, bringing previously secure populations within reach of hunters. The small group sizes and territorial nature of gibbon families make them particularly vulnerable to hunting pressure.

Take Action!

Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife every time you shop. Adopt a vegan lifestyle protecting both wild and farmed animals from agricultural expansion. Support indigenous-led protection recognising traditional forest guardianship. Refuse products containing rubber from deforested areas and demand supply chain transparency. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan

FAQs

What sounds do Southern White-cheeked Gibbons make?

Southern White-cheeked Gibbons are renowned for their spectacular dawn songs that can be heard up to 2 kilometres away through dense forest. Mated pairs perform elaborate duets combining whoops, hoots, and melodic phrases that last 15-30 minutes each morning. These territorial songs serve to defend their home ranges and strengthen pair bonds between mates. Each population has developed regional accents, with slight variations in song structure distinguishing different gibbon communities across their range. Males typically begin the duet with deep hooting calls, while females add higher-pitched, more complex phrases that create hauntingly beautiful harmonies echoing through the forest canopy.

How high can Southern White-cheeked Gibbons swing?

Southern White-cheeked Gibbons are masterful brachiators, swinging through forest canopies 15-50 metres above the ground using their extremely long arms and powerful shoulder joints. They travel at speeds reaching 55 kilometres per hour through the canopy. Their incredible agility allows them to navigate dense forest canopies with extraordinary precision.

How long do Southern White-cheeked Gibbons live?

Southern White-cheeked Gibbons can live 35-40 years. Young gibbons remain with their parents for 3-6 years, learning essential survival skills including territorial singing, foraging techniques, and canopy navigation.

Are Southern White-cheeked Gibbons dangerous to humans?

These gentle apes are primarily frugivorous and spend their time high in forest canopies, far from human activity. Their territorial behaviour is directed only towards other gibbon groups, not humans, and consists of vocal displays rather than physical aggression.

Do Southern White-cheeked Gibbons make good pets?

It is deeply cruel to keep these wild apes as pets. Southern White-cheeked Gibbons suffer extreme psychological trauma, loneliness, and early death in captivity. The illegal pet trade rips infant gibbons from their families, causing severe trauma while removing potential breeding individuals from critically endangered populations.

Captive Southern White-cheeked Gibbons often develop depression and aggression as they attempt to cope with social isolation and environmental deprivation. Legal ownership is prohibited under CITES Appendix I and national laws in both Vietnam and Laos.

Why do Southern White-cheeked Gibbons sing?

Southern White-cheeked Gibbons sing elaborate duets to defend their territories, strengthen pair bonds, and communicate with neighbouring families across the forest landscape. These dawn songs serve as acoustic boundaries, informing other gibbon groups about occupied territories and preventing potentially dangerous physical confrontations. Mated pairs coordinate their duets to demonstrate their strong partnership and reproductive fitness to potential rivals. The songs also help family members locate each other in dense forest canopies and may serve to teach young gibbons proper vocal techniques essential for establishing their own territories. Regional variations in song structure function like dialects, allowing gibbons to identify members of their local population versus strangers from distant areas.

Further Information

Can, D. N., Trai, L. T., Ninh, L. V., Hieu, T. D., Nghia, H. V., Mai, T. T., & Tu, L. N. (2020). The status of southern white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus siki) in Truong Son key biodiversity area. Vietnam Journal of Biotechnology, 42(1), 31-42.

Endangered Primate Rescue Centre

Nguyen, M.H., Coudrat, C.N.Z., Roos, C., Rawson, B.M. & Duckworth, J.W. 2020. Nomascus siki. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T39896A17968765. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T39896A17968765.en. Downloaded on 28 January 2021.

Southern white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus siki) in Nakai-Nam Theun National Protected Area, Lao PDR. Conservation and Science Report, Northeast Primate Conservancy.

Southern White-cheeked Gibbon Nomascus siki

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

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2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

Wildlife Artist Juanchi Pérez

Read more

Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings

Read more

Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao

Read more

Health Physician Dr Evan Allen

Read more

The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert

Read more

How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy

Read more

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20

https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

#Agriculture #Ape #apes #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #Cambodia #CriticallyEndangeredSpecies #deforestation #endangered #extinction #frugivore #Gibbon #Gibbons #hunting #illegalPetTrade #infrastructure #Laos #Mammal #palmoil #petTrade #Primate #primates #roads #rubber #SeedDispersers #seeddispersal #song #SouthernWhiteCheekedGibbonNomascusSiki #vegan #Vietnam