Colombia’s red howler monkeys re-learn the wilderness

Americas Now

Red Howler Monkey

In the tropical regions of Central and South America there lives a species of primates of which you might not have heard. They’re called red howler monkeys and in recent years have become endangered.

Red howler monkeys possess a special bone that deepens their vocals and gives their “howl” a distinct pitch. When they howl in unison, they can be heard from miles away. They also have a strong tail that acts as a third appendage and allows them to grasp branches.

In recent years, this rare species has become a target for wildlife traffickers in Colombia.  But thanks to the government’s efforts to stop the illegal trade, some of the monkeys are back in their forests.

Click here to take a look at some of these rescued animals and their return to the wilderness.

Colombia’s red howler monkeys re-learning the wilderness

In the tropical regions of Central and South America there lives a species of primates of which you might not have heard. They’re called red howler monkeys and in recent years have become endangered. Red howler monkeys possess a special bone that deepens their vocals and gives their “howl” a distinct pitch. When they howl in unison, they can be heard from miles away. They also have a strong tail that acts as a third appendage and allows them to grasp branches. In recent years, this rare species has become a target for wildlife traffickers in Colombia. But thanks to the government's efforts to stop the illegal trade, some of the monkeys are back in their forests. Click here to take a look at some of these rescued animals and their return to the wilderness.