At Terra Natura Benidorm we are going to develop informative talks to raise awareness about the conservation problems of primate populations at an international level. The initiative is part of the World Primate Day. During this week informative talks will be held by park educators to make visible the threats suffered by the different species of primates.
At Terra Natura Benidorm we currently have 11 species of primates and 48 specimens living here, which six are especially in danger of conservation. Specifically, the cotton-headed marmoset is critically endangered; the siamang, the lion-headed titi and the white-handed gibbon are in danger; and the black marmoset and the lazy loris are in a vulnerable state.
Until next weekend we will make talks to explain the main threats wild populations of primates have, which are the loss of their habitat, the consumption of these animals as food and the illegal trafficking of species.
To guarantee the well-being of the primates at Terra Natura Benidorm, they are provided with adequate facilities equipped with spaces to access the open air and with a covered home to protect themselves from inclement weather. With this, we want to guarantee an optimal air conditioning of the space depending on the conditions of each season of the year for the animals.
It is also important to take care of the furniture in the facility, where there should be drinking fountains, logs and lianas and enrichment games in order to promote good socialization among the group of the species and the reproduction. Likewise, the park’s veterinary department applies a hygienic-sanitary programme to ensure the well-being of the animals and they have a balanced diet.
The conservation of primates is important because they contribute to the preservation and regeneration of forests as they are important vectors for seed dispersal and contribute a significant amount of biomass to soils. They are, therefore, a key element in the fight against climate change and deforestation.