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From Logger to Monkey's Friend: Forest Rebirth
2 Dec
Summary
- Former logger now protects rare cotton-top tamarins.
- Critically endangered monkeys face extinction due to habitat loss.
- Conservation efforts successfully restore fragmented forest habitats.
Decades of logging have given way to restoration for Luis Enrique Centena, a former logger now dedicated to saving the cotton-top tamarin. These tiny primates, critically endangered with fewer than 7,500 remaining, inhabit Colombia's rapidly diminishing tropical dry forests. Their survival is threatened by deforestation, primarily for cattle ranching, and the illegal pet trade.
In the hills of northern Colombia, a unique collaboration is underway. Former loggers, farmers, and biologists, led by Fundación Proyecto Tití, are actively rebuilding the forest ecosystem. Over 120,000 trees have been planted across nearly 1,000 hectares, aiming to reconnect fragmented habitats and create wildlife corridors.
This dedicated effort is yielding tangible results. Cotton-top tamarins are beginning to return to the restored areas, signaling a hopeful future. By protecting the forest for these iconic monkeys, conservationists are also safeguarding a diverse range of other species, demonstrating a holistic approach to ecological recovery.
