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Squirrel monkeys in Costa Rica: drifting to extinction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 April 2009

Sue Boinski ,
Katharine Jack ,
Craig Lamarsh  and
Jessica A. Coltrane
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Abstract

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Central American squirrel monkeys Saimiri oerstedii are limited to Costa Rica and Panama, and have never been abundant. The Costa Rican population is now decimated. Based on our survey of squirrel monkeys throughout a large portion of the Costa Rican range of this species in 1996, we can confirm that at least 1246 squirrel monkeys remain in 26 spatially dispersed localities. Despite probable undercounts of squirrel monkeys within sites and potentially missed localities, the total population size should be considered far below a size that would provide longterm genetic viability. Deforestation and habitat fragmentation spurred by agricultural and tourism development are the familiar culprits contributing to this decline. Our strong recommendation is that future conservation efforts be targeted at the level of each specific locality, perhaps recruiting local, national and international sponsors. A focused strategy would allow management efforts to be tailored to the circumstances specific to each site and thus allocate scarce resources more efficiently.

Type
Research Article
Information
Oryx , Volume 32 , Issue 1 , January 1998 , pp. 45 - 58
Copyright
Copyright © Fauna and Flora International 1998

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