12 Years On Assessment Of The Release Rehabilitation Program Of Yucatan Black Howler Monkeys Alouatta Pigra In The Northeastern Biological Corridor Of Belize Pdf

Huotari, Alisha

Abstract

Long-term monitoring of animals that have undergone wildlife rehabilitation is crucial to assess their long-term survival and adaptation after release. This study evaluates a primate rehabilitation centre in Belize, with a focus on the 78 Yucatán black howler monkeys, Alouatta pigra, released into the Northeastern Biological Corridor over the past 12 years. The objective was to locate the released howler monkeys and conduct an up-to-date survey of the population. To do this, we actively searched for primates using a combination of local knowledge and previous studies by walking forest trails and conducting surveys. When a troop was found, data was collected on the troop’s composition, and their activity budgets, tree height, troop cohesion, and feeding behaviour, which was compared to wild populations of the species. When possible, three-day ranges of the howler monkey troops were calculated using Kernel density analysis. Between November 2022 and October 2023, 23 troops of howler monkeys, consisting of 118 individuals, were recorded. The howler monkey population showed a diverse diet, consuming 38 plant species from 20 distinct families, with activity budgets and behaviour comparable to that of their wild counterparts. This study demonstrated that the rehabilitated and released howler monkeys have remained in the Northeastern Biological Corridor and are contributing to a healthy, established population. The successful rehabilitation and release of these howler monkeys suggest that sharing the protocols used by Wildtracks, the primate rehabilitation centre, could improve outcomes for other howler monkey rehabilitation projects and benefit the wildlife involved.

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Oct 16, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 25, 2024
• Award Date: Oct 24, 2024