Protecting the habitat of Endangered white-bellied spider monkeys
Conservation focus:
White-bellied spider monkey
Scientific name:
Ateles belzebuth
Scientific classification:
Mammals, Primates, Atelidae
IUCN status:
EDGE status:
EN (endangered)
Rank 577 of 585 EDGE-listed mammals
Threatened evolutionary history:
0.5 million years
Conservation priority by EDGE rank / ecosystem
Why it matters
This project renews the grant awarded to NPC for protecting the Yellow-tailed woolly monkey, applying the successful methods used there to a larger geographical range of forest and species protection.
Project fast facts
Focal species' population trend
Decreasing
Local conservation attention
Low
Range / Project area
Ecological role
White-bellied spider monkeys are important long-distance seed dispersal agents for many fruit-bearing species, with particular importance for Oenocarpus bataua, a palm species and favourite food of this species. Seeds of preferred food items are often dispersed below the sleeping trees of this neotropical monkey species, which tends to occupy large territories.
Threats
White-bellied spider monkeys are heavily hunted for food and subject to habitat loss. Young individuals are captured for the local pet trade.
In the Peruvian Amazon, the principal threat to Ateles belzebuth in lowland forests is hunting, while montane forest populations are susceptible to accelerated deforestation and the loss of habitats for agriculture, cattle ranching and extraction of forest resources (Aquino et al. 2016).
White-bellied spider monkeys can no longer be encountered in large areas of their presumed range. More recent surveys (Shanee 2012; Shanee et al. 2015; Aquino et al. 2012, 2016, 2018) identify the species as one of the most commonly hunted Peruvian primates. It is often hunted in the context of illegal logging, leading to the extirpation of populations even within private protected areas. Large-scale deforestation in San Martín and Loreto (30,000 ha and 35,000 ha, respectively), as well as the expansion of coca plantations and mining contribute significantly to habitat loss and fragmentation within this species’ range.
Grant
First awarded:
$ 7682
8 May 2026
Rank 577 of 585 EDGE-listed mammals
Programme owner
Neotropical Primate Conservation (NPC)
Programme contact
Dr. Sam Shanee, Projects Director, Neotropical Primate Conservation
Project location
South America, Peru
4RRM+6W9 Area de Conservación "El Gran Simacache", 22610, Peru
Addressing the need: Project goals
Use the lessons learned from the previous grant to increase the impact and expand the range of forest and species protection to a larger landscape.
Improved habitat and species protection through forest patrols and biological monitoring in the Gran Simacache Conservation Concession.
Conservation actions
The white-bellied spider monkey is one of three flagship species for the area, with Jaguar and Andean bears. We expect it to benefit from reduced hunting, habitat loss and land invasions. This will be achieved through enforcement and coordination with authorities and locals. Patrols will also reach out to surrounding areas, informing about concession boundaries, species conservation, and hopefully engaging new allies in conservation work. Monitoring and biological inventories will allow the evaluation and adaptation of species protection effectiveness. Proper methodological training will have long-term impact for conservation of the area through permanent presence of competent park guards.
