Translocation of red howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus) in French Guiana Original Research Article

A wide translocation program was conducted on neotropical fauna in French Guiana during the filling of a hydroelectric reservoir. Red howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus) were studied because available data on their behavior in undisturbed conditions provided the basis for behavioral comparison with translocated animals. A resident howler population was present in the selected release area, but population densities were severely reduced by previous strong hunting pressure. A post-release survey was conducted during 18 months using radio-tracking and visual observations of 16 females. Most radio-tagged females settled in a stable home range. All but one of the released troops split up but all the monitored females were thereafter re-observed with resident congeners, sometimes after a period of solitary living. Most of the behavioral characteristics of the translocated individuals corresponded to previous observations on undisturbed animals. It is concluded that the behavioral abilities of this species helped them to survive and settle in a new area. Population reinforcements or re-introduction of red howlers may therefore be conducted with a good probability of success.