Notes on the behavior of captive and released woolly monkeys (Lagothrix lagothricha): Reintroduction as a conservation strategy in Colombian southern Amazon

Abstract

Woolly monkeys (Lagothrix lagothricha), one of the largest primates in the neotropics, play important roles as seed dispersers in neotropical forests. All subspecies hold some kind of threatened status (VU, vulnerable, and CR, critically endangered) according to International Union for Conservation of Nature, mainly due to deforestation, subsistence hunting, and illegal wildlife trade. Therefore, a high number of animals are kept in rescue centers and zoos, where conditions tend to be poor and their survival is low. This study's main purpose was to compare the activity budget of free-ranging woolly monkeys, captive animals at a rescue center, and a group of rehabilitated and released monkeys. Results showed an important difference between the time budget of captive and wild monkeys, while showing an intermediate pattern for the released group. Our results suggest that rehabilitation and release imply high mortality rates, but may be an effective strategy for woolly monkey conservation.