Proyecto Mono Tocón

April 2012

Content

Where can we protect the

San Martin titi monkey?

Conservation Concessions in

Central Huallaga. A future

for the San Martin titi

monkey?

Pucunucho. An educational

tool for the conservation of

the San Martin titi monkey

Second Nature Summer

School

I n February I was again in Peru to experience the developments

of Proyecto Mono Tocón. Our team works hard and has become

very professional.

Besides many meetings and workshops in the office, we spent a week

in the Central Huallaga region. While the rate of deforestation is

worrying, it was great to meet local associations that are determined to

protect the forest around their villages. Their motivation is contagious, and

motivated us to support the associations with their activities. By joining

forces, there is a good chance that the San Martin titi monkey can be saved

from extinction.

Jan Vermeer Project Director

Local Initiatives for Biodiversity Conservation

Where can we protect the San Martin titi monkey?

I n 2007, when the Proyecto Mono Tocón started its work, not much was known

about the San Martin titi monkey (Callicebus oenanthe). The only information that

was available was that it was probably restricted to the Alto Mayo Valley, that there

was some variation in colouration and that the species was probably endangered.

Conservation actions where probably hindered by a lack of knowledge on the distri-

bution and conservation status of the species. A poorly known species simply receives

little international attention.

Our research program showed that the San Martin titi monkey was more widespread

than thought. However, most of the lowland forest that was their habitat had been

converted into agricultural lands.

How could the species be saved from the extinction?

No forest large enough for a viable population was encountered and the few munici-

pal and private conservation areas only had small numbers of titi monkeys.

I would like to join our director to

welcome you to this newsletter. We hope

that it will bring you closer to the

diverse activities of our association.

Thank you for supporting our work for

the conservation of Peru’s biodiversity.

Victoria Pérez Tello President of the association

First Seminar of

Conservation Biology

Workshop for the validation

of educational materials for

the Indigenous Communities

San Martin titi monkey (Callicebus oenanthe)

Page 2 P R O Y E C T O M O N O T O C Ó N

T he future of the San Martin titi monkey

probably depends on local initiatives for

forest conservation.

The regional government has published an

“Ecological and Economical Zoning Plan”, in

which certain areas are indicated as suitable

for nature conservation, but no direct govern-

mental actions are being taken.

However, private initiatives for the conserva-

tion of these areas often receive support by

the regional government. At a local level, the

inhabitants of San Martin are often conscious

of the importance of nature conservation. They

know how much they depend on the forests

for their supply of drinking water and the rain

on their plantations.

Titi monkeys are still relatively easy found in forest frag-

ments, but these fragments always hold only a few iso-

lated groups, and connectivity with other fragments is

difficult due to the strong human presence around the

fragments.

To guide us in our search for conservation possibilities,

we conducted together with Sam Shanee of Neotropical

Primate Conservation a GIS Risk assessment and GAP

habitat analysis.

Data from our research program, satellite images, maps

of mining concessions and production forests were all

combined in a computer program. The result was a good

overview of the alarming situation, but also an indication

where the creation of conservation areas for titi monkeys

theoretically could be possible.

As it was just a theoretical study, a field study is neces-

sary to compare the results of the study with the actual

situation in the field. Fortunately, the French organisation

Thoiry-Peaugres Conservation offered us funding to commence this study.

The study is still going on, but the results are inconclusive. While we found forest and titi monkeys in

some areas, in others most of the forest had disappeared (the satellite images were from 2008/2009) or

was being destroyed at high speed. There is also a zone with good forest cover, but for some reason titi

monkeys seem to be absent. It is too early to make any final conclusions, but this work will help us to

determine where the next years our priorities should be.

Settlement of Bagazán, Pachiza

Principal financer of this project

Conservation Concessions in Central Huallaga. A future for

the San Martin titi monkey?

Low risk Callicebus oenanthe habitat (Shanee et al. 2011)

Page 3 P R O Y E C T O M O N O T O C Ó N

Pucunucho. An educational tool for the conservation of

the San Martin titi monkey

P ucunucho is a small conservation area in the Mariscal Cáceres province, created and managed by the NGO AMPA

(Amazónicos por la Amazonía).

This small area is an important refuge for several

groups of titi monkeys. It is a special area that can

become a destination for tourists that are inter-

ested in nature conservation, while using the San

Martin titi monkey as a flagship species. The area

is at this moment only 23 hectares; its forest cover

has been restored by the planting of native tree

species.

Recently, AMPA has received support from the

Purchase of Nature small grants program of the

IUCN-NL. The grant makes it possible to buy addi-

tional land, allowing the creation of a biological

corridor between Pucunucho and Cunchuhuillo.

Despite not being owner of the land they live on (most land is government property), they have the possibility to create an

association that can apply for the creation of a “Conservation Concession”.

Proyecto Mono Tocón and Neotropical Primate Conservation support the villages of Ricardo Palma and Bagazán with the

creation of their conservation concessions, together approximately 5.800 hectares.

However, during our visit to both villages in February the people indi-

cated that more villages were probably willing to create concessions

continuous with their reserve, but that these villages also needed help.

Therefore Proyecto Mono Tocón has initiated a new project to promote

nature conservation in the Central Huallaga region, to inform local in-

habitants about the possibilities of the creation of conservation con-

cessions and to support them with the applications and management.

We hope that we can extend the existing conservation concession with

at least another 4.000 hectares. Great for the titi monkeys, red howler

monkeys and all other wildlife that lives there.

We have planned to create a special “Central Huallaga team” for this

work, which will mainly focus on this area. They will receive support

from our research and education departments. We are pleased that the

Amnéville Zoo in France has offered to

finance partially this project for a pe-

riod of three years, and are convinced

that we will find another sponsor for

the remaining costs. Shitariyacu creek, Ricardo Palma

Coordination meeting with the neighbours of Pucunucho

Principal financer of this project

Page 4 P R O Y E C T O M O N O T O C Ó N

Second Nature Summer School

During the summer holidays of the schools in Moyobamba, Proyecto Mono Tocón organised from January till March the

second edition of the nature Summer School in the San Francisco Botanical Garden.

An extensive activity program was developed, to bring children and adolescents closer to the nature that surrounds them.

The inscription is free of charge to all children, stimulating the participation of the family-members of the association

managing the Botanical Garden.

This latter area has some 500 hectares of primary and secon-

dary forest, but human pressure is very high. Within the pro-

ject, the participation of Proyecto Mono Tocón was consid-

ered for the implementation of educational activities. We

developed a program for the neighbouring population to in-

crease their respect for the natural resources and to develop

more sustainable attitudes. By creating more understanding

for the work in Pucunucho, we hope to ensure support for

the biological corridor for the San Martin titi monkey.

The project will last until Mai and includes the creation of a

Conservation Committee, the establishment of an Education

Centre and a preliminary evaluation of the potential of

Cunchuhuillo as conservation area.

In January the work commenced with an initial survey among the owners of land around the conservation area and the

planned corridor. The intention is to understand the difficulties that may accompany the project and the conservation of

the area. The initial results show that the efforts to receive local support for the project should be increased to prevent fu-

ture problems. The Conservation Committee has been formalized, and the capacity building has started.

After a workshop about water, the participants had much more

understanding of the water cycle, the causes and consequences of water

contamination and how to protect this valuable natural resource.

The workshop on soil focused on the negative consequences of the burning

of agricultural fields and forest, to break with the local myth that smoke pro-

vokes rain.

The workshop on air also treated the negative

effects of burning waste, forest and fields.

The educational program has been expanded for

the children and adolescents of the communities.

Educational materials developed by the education

department of Proyecto Mono Tocón were used to

capture the interest of the youth and facilitate the

learning process.

To assure a continuing participation to the work-

shops, the methods are adapted to the ages of the

children and are very dynamic.

Workshop with the adult neighbours

Workshop with children and adolescents

Entity responsible for this project

Principal financer of this project

Page 5 P R O Y E C T O M O N O T O C Ó N

The summer school is the graduation project of stu-

dents from the local university, coordinated by the

team of Proyecto Mono Tocón.

The enthusiastic and juvenile character of the team re-

sulted in the presence of 39 children of between 6 and

14 years old, who never failed an activity during the 2

months.

During the summer school, the children carried out

many practical and dynamic activities, all connected to

flora, fauna and the importance of the biodiversity con-

servation.

The summer school served for many children as an ini-

tiation in the “world of recycling”, motivating them

through entertaining and pleasant activities to think

about the handling and reuse of their waste.

Additionally, the municipality of Moyobamba provided

plants to organise a small reforestation activity.

The final objective of the summer school is the creation of a

Nature Club, first of all for the participants of the program,

but later for all the children of Moyobamba.

The NAUCA (Niños y Adolescentes Unidos para Conservar el

Ambiente / Children and Adolescents United for Environ-

mental Conservation) is a new initiative of the Proyecto

Mono Tocón to involve the youth of Moyobamba in nature

conservation.

A member of our other nature club in Calzada,

JOESUCNA, has attended to many of the summer

school activities, sharing her experiences with the new

members of NAUCA.

With the Nature Club we hope to involve the inhabi-

tants of the San Francisco-quarter more in the conser-

vation and rehabilitation of the botanical garden.

The revitalisation of the botanical garden will not only be impor-

tant for nature education, but can also generate a better income

for the neighbours.

Reforestation in the San Francisco Botanical Garden

Crafts with rolls of toilet paper

Funded by our partners

Page 6 P R O Y E C T O M O N O T O C Ó N

First Seminar of Conservation Biology

O n the 14th and 15th of March 2012, Proyecto Mono Tocón organised in cooperation with the Ecology Faculty of the

National University of San Martin the first Conservation Biology Seminar. Speakers at the event in Moyobamba were

Dr. Manuel Antonio González González (University of León, Spain), the ecologist Beatriz Blanco Fontao (University of

Oviedo, Spain) and Julio C. Tello Alvarado (Responsible of the Research Department of Proyecto Mono Tocón).

The principal objective of the seminar was to share

knowledge and experiences about conservation, to in-

crease involvement in the conservation programs of the

San Martin Region.

The themes treated were:

√ General topics of Conservation Biology.

√ Practical instruments developed in Europe; cases of the

Wood Grouse (Tetrao urogallus) and the Brown Bear

(Ursus arctos).

√ Adaptation of experiences for Peru.

√ Evaluation of primate species of the San Martin Region.

√ Current situation of the San Martin titi monkey

(Callicebus oenanthe).

A large number of students and teachers of the university participated to the seminar, as well as professionals

from public and private entities that work on themes related to nature conservation.

This first seminar organised at the Faculty of Ecology intended to be an interactive platform for many people

involved in nature conservation.

Proyecto Mono Tocón has conventions with the Faculty of Ecology and the National University of San Martin

to assist with the formation of their students and to share the results of studies conducted by the association

in San Martin.

Beatriz Blanco Fontao during her presentation at the Ecology Faculty

T he local Educational Authorities of the small town of Rioja

(UGEL-Rioja), the Regional Educational Management of San

Martin (DRE-SM) and the association Proyecto Mono Tocón or-

ganised on the 16th of March the workshop Environmental Edu-

cation in the Alto Mayo valley and the process for its application

in the Indigenous Communities.

In the past years the Proyecto Mono Tocón has developed an

Environmental Education Program for schools in the small towns

of Calzada and Yantalo. The association has adapted this curricu-

lum for an educational program in the Indigenous Awajun

Communities of the Alto Mayo Valley.

Validation of the Inspector Chas materials

Funded by our partners

Workshop for the validation of educational materials for

the Indigenous Communities

Ongoing projects

Evaluation of the conservation status of primates in the Bosque de Protección Alto Mayo. With the sup-port of Conservation International Peru

Study on the distribution of the San Martin titi monkey (Callicebus oenanthe) on the north of Huaya-bamba river. With the support of Thoiry Peaugres Conservation

Pucunucho. An educational tool for the conservation of the San Martin titi monkey. With the support of Amazónicos por la Amazonía

Initiatives for the conservation of the San Martin titi monkey (Callicebus oenanthe) in Eastern San Martin. With the support of Zoo d’Amnéville, Neotropical Primate Conservation and Le Conservatoire pour la Pro-tection des Primates

Nature club JOESUCNA, a partner for conservation in Calzada. With the support of Le Conservatoire pour la Protection des Primates

Environmental Education Program on the Awajun schools of the Alto Mayo. With the support of Le Con-servatoire pour la Protection des Primates

All projects also receive the support from the dedicated European Zoos, without whom our work would not be possible

Page 7 P R O Y E C T O M O N O T O C Ó N

During the workshop, the curriculum was presented to members

of the community and experiences of the past few years were

shared.

The workshop has permitted us to integrate proposals of educa-

tion specialists working with the native communities and to re-

ceive validation for the proposed materials. With the obtained

observations and proposals we can adapt our materials for this

new educational program, which we will execute in the Awajun

schools of the Alto Mayo. The program has started in April, and

will continue until the end of the school year.

Specialists participating in the workshop Associates in the workshop

Demonstration of the board game Ludo del Aire

Funded by our partners

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You can find us at...

Proyecto Mono Tocón

Jr. Reyes Guerra, 430

Moyobamba

Perú

We are rebuilding our website. In the meanwhile, please

visit us at… www.proyecto-mono-tocon.org

For more information, please contact:

Jan Vermeer

jan.vermeer@telfort.nl

T: (+51) 42 564462

Proyecto Mono Tocón would not be possible without our partners.

Thanks for supporting the conservation of Peru’s biodiversity!