At the market, a pound of monkey meat costs USD3 or USD4
Monkey meat is a tradition for various communities in the Amazon and is found within the so-called «bush meats«.
The constant hunting of monkeys is decreasing the number of primates, which could generate changes in the natural environment of the area.
A few weeks ago the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) presented a partial report that reveals the serious situation in the protected area of Yasuni Park.
Four species are reducing their presence per square meter: spider monkey, squirrel monkey, white machin and the chorongo monkey, said Galo Zapata, director of WCS.
The most affected species are the spider monkey and chorongo, because they are more palatable to hunters for their meat, up to 8 kilos are obtained from them.
Both primates feed only on fruits and therefore the flavor of their meat is quite good, according to people who have tried them.
It is estimated that there are 23 chorongo monkeys per square kilometer in controlled areas, while in hunting areas their presence decreases to 8 per km².
Species like machín and squirrel offer less than a kilo of meat. In the case of the squirrel monkey, it is better to capture it to be sold as a pet.
Every year around 13 tons of monkey meat are commercialized, in terms of animal presence, equivalent to a loss of wildlife of 45 hectares without animals, according to the WCS.
This type of hunting is illegal, since only non-commercial subsistence hunting is allowed in Ecuador, but ancient traditions have perpetuated this activity to provide purchasing power to members of indigenous communities who have now decided to live in urban areas such as Tena, Lago Agrio or Coca.
The consumption of monkey meat has become a status symbol, which is why in a wedding, christening or first communion, up to two tons are consumed.
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