The National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp) reported the birth of a third spider monkey (Ateles geoffroyi vellerosus) infant in the Sumidero Canyon National Park, a protected natural area in the state of Chiapas, despite the species having been considered extinct for more than 30 years in the western part of the park.
In a press release, the environmental authority detailed that the new infant descends from a pair that was part of the group of 12 individuals reintroduced on November 28, 2016.
After their adaptation, Conanp explained, the alpha male and dominant female successfully established themselves, demonstrating the viability of the ecosystem on the western wall of Sumidero Canyon.
The National Commission confirmed that the family group is currently in “perfect health” and consists of: an adult male and female, the founding pair; a juvenile female, the first offspring; and a juvenile male, the second offspring. and this newborn cub.
“This achievement is the result of collaborative work between the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP), the Miguel Álvarez del Toro Regional Zoo (Zoomat), and the civil association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of the Usumacinta (COBIUS),” he emphasized.
He also highlighted actions such as satellite monitoring and monthly patrols that have documented that the family feeds on native species like sapodilla and fig, contributing to the ecological restoration of the site.
Now, with the goal of preserving the well-being of the new cub, the federal agency recommended that service providers and the general public respect the natural behavior of the area, avoiding excessive noise and actions that could stress the animals.
It also warned that the alpha male maintains an active protective behavior toward his offspring and could react aggressively to perceived threats.
Conanp explained that the spider monkey is characterized by its prehensile tail, which has tactile functions, the absence of thumbs to facilitate brachiation, and a frugivorous diet that positions it as a seed disperser. Regarding its gestation and rearing periods, it noted that they can last up to four years.
In Mexico, the spider monkey primarily inhabits tropical rainforests in the southeast and is listed as endangered under NOM-059-SEMARNAT-201.
“This birth enriches the biocultural heritage of Chiapas and confirms that the state’s ‘natural heart’ continues to be a safe haven for biodiversity,” the environmental authority concluded.
Source: eluniversal
