Costa Rica is considered to be among the top 20 most biologically diverse countries in the world with its neotropical climate and varied habitats being home to more than 500 000 species.

Data collected by volunteers on our project in Costa Rica has revealed promising results regarding the populations of primates on the Osa Peninsula. Out of the four species present, the two that are at the greatest risk from extinction were the most frequently sighted!

According to the IUCN Red list the Central American Squirrel Monkey is listed as vulnerable and Geoffroy’s Spider Monkey is listed as endangered with populations suffering declines of up to 50% over the past 45 years.

Primates are important for the survival of tropical rainforests where they act as seed dispersers and help maintain balanced and stable predator-prey relationships. Of all neotropical primate species 35% are considered endangered with their main threat being deforestation and habitat loss for purposes such as commercial logging, agriculture and ranching.

If you’re interested in visiting this amazing and diverse country and want to help protect the wealth of wildlife it sustains then get involved with our Costa Rica Big Cats, Primate and Turtles Conservation project