Iquitos, Peru
www.laisladelosmonosperu.com
At the primate rescue center called “Isla de los Monos” (Monkey Island) near Iquitos, Peru, the DWA has assisted in the improvement of the crop and fruit plantations for the animals and workers to consume, construction of the tourist reception area, dorm for keepers, two large holding areas for newly rescued primates and updating of the water well and elevated cistern. Since 2009, educational programs have been provided to tourists and neighboring communities concerning the Red uakari (Cacajao calvus) and other endemic monkeys of the Amazon. Veterinary care for the primates (eight species) has been provided every three months by our veterinarian staff in Iquitos. Due to their feeding habits, nutritional supplements and special food are being provided to a group of Red uakari that were confiscated by officials and are now being cared for at the center, with the help of the DWA.
In conjunction with Programa Regional Forestal y de Fauna Silvestre, the DWA is implementing an in-depth research project with Peruvian biologists in the Communal Conservation Area “Tamshiyacu Tahuayo”. The project will focus on dietary preferences and feeding behaviors of the Red uakari, population census and natural foraging behaviors with special relationship to sympatric monkey species of the Amazon basin.
