Densidad poblacional y composición de grupos de Aotus nancymaae en áreas de aprovechamiento de la especie para experimentación biomédica en el trapecio amazónico Colombiano

Abstract

The use of wildlife as a natural resource is fundamental to human welfare and development. However, to guarantee wildlife conservation, wildlife management needs to be based on reliable information, in other words, data that are rigorously collected and analyzed, and an accurate regulatory system; otherwise wildlife overexploitation can occur. Overexploitation is one of the five drivers of biodiversity loss and has been identified as a direct threat to some primate species. Captured animals from the wild populations of Aotus species in the southern Colombian Amazon have been used for biomedical experimentation since approximately 30 years ago; however, the impact of this process needs to be evaluated further. Since the recent confirmation of a new taxon to Colombia, Aotus nancymaae, it has become even more important to accurately assess the conservation status of owl monkey populations in this region, as well as to review the management and monitoring plan, including protocols for use. Due to its restricted distribution and its human use, this species is considered Vulnerable in Colombia. Here we show preliminary results of some population parameters as an initial step to determine the health of this population. The results and the comparison with other studies allow us to conclude that there is a very high uncertainty about basic information needed to plan sustainable management of these species in this landscape.