GVI.2015.01

Monthly Achievement Report

Jalova, January 2015

Potential for the release of a rehabilitated White Throated Capuchin at Jalova

Summary

GVI Jalova’s monkey project is halfway through its second year of surveys and the staff have been working

hard to begin compiling and analysing the data. Determining species density of primates in Tortuguero

National Park (TNP) is the main goal of the project. Moreover, the Ministry of Environment and Energy for

Costa Rica (MINAE)are now considering Jalova as a potential release site for a female white throated capuchin

from a rehabilitation centre, making this project’s data even more invaluable.

Objectives

GVI Jalova takes pride in building strong relationships with our partners, including MINAE, Panthera and the

Sea Turtle Conservancy. Our Central American Spider Monkey project was established at the request of

MINAE, to gather more information on these endangered primates, as well as the other species of primates

in TNP, who provide a good indication of the health of the forest ecosystem and the level of protection

required.

Report

Between November and March when there are no turtles gracing our beach, the staff and volunteers of GVI

Jalova retreat further inland, off the usual trails and into the dense forest in a search for monkeys. In 2013,

at the request of MINAE, the Central American Spider Monkey Project was established to estimate the

density and distribution of the Central American Spider Monkeys, Mantled Howler Monkeys and White

Throated Capuchins at the southern end of TNP. On surveys so far this year there have been 32 individual

spider monkeys, 5 howler monkeys and 3 capuchins seen, in comparison to the 102 spider monkeys, 27

howler monkeys and 42 capuchins seen over the 2013-2014 monkey survey season. The area surveyed is

mostly secondary forest which has previously been logged, and is now surrounded by banana and coconut

plantations. Fragmented habitats are a concern for primates due to the loss of canopy connectivity, reduced

protection from terrestrial predators and the lack of established fruiting trees as a food source. The presence

of 3 primate species within this small area of forest indicates a healthy ecosystem.

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Our project focuses on the Central American spider monkey, which is classified as endangered due to dietary

specialism for ripe fruit. However, the white throated capuchins have recently stolen the attention of the

monkey team, as well as most of the grapefruits from base. The capuchins are the smallest of the primate

species within our area, but make up for it with their charisma and almost daily presence on base or in the

surrounding coconut plantation. It’s a shame we don’t see them as much during survey time! The species is

classified by the IUCN red list as least concern, meaning they are relatively abundant and face no severe or

immediate threats to their continued survival. Nonetheless, this species, as well as other capuchin species

within the Cebus family of Central and South America, are widely used in films or desired as pets due to their

intelligence and personalities.

Figure 1: White throated capuchin eating a grapefruit

White throated capuchins live in groups of 4 to 30 individuals, with females remaining in hierarchical family

groups and males dispersing. They are generalists in comparison to the folivorous (leaf eating) howler

monkeys, and the frugivorous spider monkeys, and are found in a much broader range of habitat types. The

capuchin is described as omnivorous but their diet consists of up to 67% fruit, including figs and mangoes,

GVI.2015.01

although around here coconuts are also plentiful. Their diet is supplemented with animal protein in the form

of beetle larvae, caterpillars, ants, bird eggs, frogs, crabs and lizards. Capuchins are highly adaptable during

seasons of shortage and especially in cases of rehabilitation and reintroduction.

At the start of January, GVI Jalova were contacted by MINAE enquiring about a suitable release site for a

female capuchin living in a rehabilitation centre and assessed as ready to go back into the wild. All species of

primates tend to struggle when kept in captivity, although this is greater if they have been taken from the

wild rather than being born in this environment. Therefore, it is in the capuchin’s best interests that a suitable

wild group is found for her. Over the last few weeks Renato and Charlotte, the monkey project team, have

spent a few hours observing the capuchin troop that visits base from the comfort of the staff porch, with the

idea of recommending the group to MINAE. The base group consists of 4 adults and 1 dependent juvenile,

who frequent our fruit trees, finding them a reliable food source, but are by no means habituated. Staff and

volunteers often find themselves on the receiving end of bared teeth, branch shaking or fruit throwing whilst

doing their laundry or even just walking towards the kitchen to eat.

Rehabilitation and re-release of individuals into the wild can be a very time consuming process requiring a

lot of background research into species ecology, suitable areas, adoptive groups and food availability to begin

with. Once a site has been chosen the hard work starts to prepare the individual, local residents and the

veterinary care or scientific team, before continual monitoring for signs of acceptance or rejection from the

group, as success is not guaranteed. In terms of this release more research is still required and the process is

in the very early stages, but the staff and volunteers at Jalova hope that the female capuchin will settle into

her new home and have a better life back in the wild where she belongs.

Charlotte Oxley, Field Staff, Jalova.