TRAVELING THE PATH FROM BASIC RESEARCH TO ACTIVISM IN PRIMATE CONSERVATION

KOWALEWSKI, M

Quito

Congreso; Joint Meeting of the International Primatological Society and the Latin American Society of Primatology; 2022

International Primatological Society and the Latin American Society of Primatology

Although basic research is important in understanding the biology and ecology of non-human primates, we are facing an extreme conservation crisis for primates and their habitats. This scenario places many of us in an uncomfortable position: do we need to move from basic research to activism in order to conserve primates? Should each of our projects have a strong conservation orientation? Do we need to become primate activists? I will present data collected over 35 years from two sites in northern Argentina focusing on life-history traits of black-and-gold howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya). Our two study sites differ in forest continuity, and in the diversity and availability of food throughout the year. However, differences in food availability between sites do not appear to be a critical factor influencing interbirth interval, rates of infant mortality, mother-infant relationships, or activity budget. At our sites, increased forest continuity results in increased home range overlap and a higher proportion of multi-male groups, affecting group interactions and social organization. Although howlers can survive in modified landscapes, the presence of parasites and deforestation are placing them at increasing risk. Finally, I will discuss ways we have organized at the regional and the local level to promote primate conservation. Action is possible, and activism is necessary. This is a call to act individually and collectively for effective conservation.