In honour of World Monkey Day, which takes place on December 14th every year, Terra Natura Benidorm is hosting activities this weekend, December 14 and 15. The education department will stress the critical role that primates play in maintaining the balance of ecosystems while also bringing attention to the problems that they face and the significance of monkey conservation.

Primates are essential to nature because they control bug populations and spread seeds. However, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports that over 60% of primate species are in danger of going extinct. The primary risks are hunting for meat, the illegal pet trade, habitat degradation due to deforestation, and capture for research purposes.

Primate protection is a top goal at Terra Natura Benidorm. We take part in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), which encourages the breeding and care of species including the white-eared tamarin, cotton-top tamarin, and squirrel monkey. These programmes guarantee populations that are genetically sound and support international efforts to save these threatened species.

During the weekend, visitors can learn more about the three big primate orders—monkeys, apes, and prosimians—, with a particular emphasis on the latter. Monkeys, who are distinguished by their developed tails and nimble bodies, will be the main focus of the talks, where knowledge on their behaviour, ecological importance, and conservation tactics will be shared.

The information stand will be located in the America area next to the capuchin monkey installation from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm. Infographics of anatomy, skulls of capuchin monkeys, golden-handed tamarins and saimiri will be part of the biological material of this educational space designed to learn about the primates of the park and reflect on the impact that our actions can have on the preservation of biodiversity.

Terra Natura Benidorm stresses that primate conservation requires urgent and global measures, such as the creation of protected areas, the implementation of international laws forbiding hunting and trade, and the constant monitoring of populations to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation initiatives. ‘Protecting primates is not only essential for biodiversity, but also to ensure the health of the ecosystems that sustain life on our planet,’ explain the park’s conservation team.