Primates de Grecia
Primates de Grecia is a community group dedicated to protecting wildlife in the Grecia canton. Primates de Grecia is part of FUNDEMA-PP and focuses on organizing hands-on activities in Occidente the Western region of San Jose, Costa Rica.
Since its founding, it has spearheaded key initiatives such as wildlife monitoring using camera traps, the recording and tracking of animals struck by vehicles on roads to identify critical roadkill hotspots, and the Annual Primate Count in Tacares. This a participatory monitoring effort that combines wildlife observation, environmental education, and community engagement.
Through partnerships with the municipality of Grecia, local businesses, and educational institutions, the group also brings conservation into the classroom, promoting harmonious coexistence with the region’s wildlife among children and communities.
Mono aullador
(Alouatta palliata)
Mono Cariblanca
(Cebus imitator)
How did this 'Primates of Grecia' project come about?
The origins of Primates de Grecia date back to the First National Primate Census in Costa Rica (Primer Conteo Nacional de Primates en Costa Rica,), an initiative organized by the University of Costa Rica (UCR).
During this event, Francis Suárez and Hamer Salazar, members of Fundema PP, along with a passionate group of local volunteers, identified the urgent need to coordinate concrete actions to protect the monkeys and wildlife of the canton.
It was at that gathering of like-minded individuals that the seed of the project was sown. The community’s response was so positive that the name “Primates de Grecia” quickly caught on, becoming a living brand under which numerous environmental, educational, and community activities are organized in the region, always with the support and comprehensive management of Fundema PP.
Our Goal
The primary goal of Primates of Greece is to improve the conservation status of wildlife in key areas such as Tacares and Puente de Piedra, using primates as flagship species to protect their entire habitat.
As the fully integrated flagship program of Fundema PP, this project is expanded its scope to implement concrete restoration and conservation actions throughout the Western Region (Región de Occidente).
Let us introduce you to George, a Congo howler monkey (Alouatta palliata) who is part of the Tacares troop. George has a very distinctive body coloration that makes him unique.
What is abnormal pigmentation?
This is the term used when there is a variation in the usual color of the skin or fur of living beings, including Congo monkeys (Alouatta palliata). In simple terms, it is a change in the natural coloration typically found in these primates.
Why does this change occur?
The pigment responsible for giving the skin and fur of Congo monkeys their characteristic dark color is called eumelanin. However, in these cases, eumelanin is converted into pheomelanin, a sulfur-rich pigment that produces that very distinctive yellowish or orange hue.
Although the exact causes are still under study because this is a recent phenomenon, researchers have two main hypotheses:
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Isolation and inbreeding:
Monkey populations that become isolated in small forest patches tend to be smaller, which increases mating among relatives (inbreeding) and favors the emergence of this genetic mutation.
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Exposure to agrochemicals:
Since they live near monoculture agricultural areas, the monkeys may be exposed to sulfur-based pesticides (rich in sulfur). By ingesting leaves or fruits with residues of these products, the excess sulfur in their bodies could be influencing the synthesis of pheomelanin.
Does this have health consequences for George?
So far, no direct negative effects on the physical health of the individuals have been detected. However, experts point out that this change in coat color could make them more visible to predators, as they lose the natural camouflage provided by their usual dark coloring among the foliage.
