Survival and adaptation of a released group of confiscated capuchin monkeys

Citation
Ce. Suarez et al., Survival and adaptation of a released group of confiscated capuchin monkeys, ANIM WELFAR, 10(2), 2001, pp. 191-203
Citations number
43
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Animal Sciences
Journal title
ANIMAL WELFARE
ISSN journal
0962-7286 → ACNP
Volume
10
Issue
2
Year of publication
2001
Pages
191 - 203
Database
ISI
SICI code
0962-7286(200105)10:2<191:SAAOAR>2.0.ZU;2-L
Abstract
One commonly used method of managing confiscated wild primates in Latin Ame rican countries is to release rehabilitated individuals back to their natur al habitats. However, little information has been collected from confiscate d animal releases, so no clear guidelines have been developed to measure th e success of this type of procedure. rn most countries, the collection of c ritical post-release data is too costly and time-consuming for it to be inc orporated into the routine procedures of institutions managing confiscated fauna. Therefore, this project was carried out in conditions similar to tho se of other Colombian and Latin American rehabilitation centres. A group of eight confiscated and rehabilitated brown capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella) was released in Los Llanos Orientales in Colombia, and monitored for 6.5 mo nths to determine their adaptation and survival after release. Results were analysed according to how the animals adapted to their new environment in terms of foraging, feeding, locomotion, sleeping, social interactions betwe en the group and with other animals and species, predation, orientation, an d establishment of a territory. The results show that the short-term adapta tion and survival of the group 6.5 months after release was successful. Fiv e of the eight animals remained together, two separated, and only one was l ost during the first month. Implications for animal well-being are discusse d.