Monkey Populations At the Santa Rosa National Park Are Rising.

The population of monkeys is rising in Santa Rosa National Park, in the northwestern province of Guanacaste; the howler and the white faced monkeys are becoming a common sight once again. A total of 620 Howlers were counted last year when there were only 85 in 1972. The population of the white faced is a little slower to recover, with 740 of them today when there were just 300 in 1972.

These statistics, published by Linda Fedigan from the Calgary University, show a healthy growth as far as these primates are concerned. Fedigan points out that this is nothing more than a direct result of the protection the area has received since 1971 when it first became a National Park. Fires, deforestation and heavy hunting had put their numbers in danger but now that their natural habitat has begun to recover they are thriving again.

A forest has to be at least 20 to 30 years old to support the life of the white faced monkey. Young ones set out by traveling rapidly through the trees looking for fruits and as the trees grow and become bigger, they eventually settle there and make it their new home. The howler demands older trees of at least 60 years, as they have to be strong enough to support their weight; a full-grown monkey can reach 7 to 8 kilos. New families are established, starting with a young male settling down in a new area, calling for mates with its distinctive howl. Soon, a female will find him, followed by another, and another.

Spider monkeys also inhabit the area, but these move so fast, it is quite a task to try and count them and Fedigan explains how a different method needs to be used. These acrobats favor older trees that need to be at least 100 years old. In Santa Rosa they can be found in the older parts of the park, areas that have for the most part been left untouched.

While this particular study only looked at the howlers and the white faced monkeys, it is encouraging to see how much a system of protection can make a huge difference, proven here with the growing number of these primates. Once the natural habitat of an animal is protected, the animal itself starts to enjoy a good healthy life again. This can be helped further with the money visitors give to these protected areas, while respecting their fragility and beauty.

The more parks created the better for this country, where devastation is taking part in other areas with Costa Rica development involving the cutting of trees. It is vital that the flora and fauna stay untouched as they are working hand in hand together. If we want future generation to keep coming here and enjoy these national parks and their natural beauty, we need to start to take a more active part and work toward their success. It doesn’t really take so much effort, as basically all they need is to be left alone, with respect and the understanding that we need these forests to flourish as much as their inhabitants the monkeys!

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Filed under: Costa Rican Wildlife on October 27th, 2008