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Awwww Save The Cute Endangered Monkeys
Written by Chris 
Article by Kevin Peterson. All photos used with kind permission from Christina Craft
Photo:
When a troop of Mono Titi pass through it is like a band of wild teenagers on a holiday bash. Even Hugh Hefner would be jealous of their sex lives. They’re fun, happy and cute – life is a celebration for them.
The Mono Titi is among the smallest of all primates. Weighing in at only one and a half pounds, not much bigger than a squirrel, they can fit onto the palm of a hand.
Also known as the Peaceful Primates, Mono Titi are endemic to the Manuel Antonio Park in Costa Rica: the birthplace of Eco Tourism. In Manuel Antonio, the monkeys are the stars of the show for the thousands of visitors that come each year.
What makes the Mono Titi unique among the various species of squirrel monkeys is their social behaviors: the primates live in entirely egalitarian troops. Both male and female enjoy equal status in the troop and intermingle freely.
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One can draw many parallels between Costa Ricans and the majestic Mono Titi. Costa Ricans embrace the small: the country is among the most minute in Latin America and the people even call themselves Ticos- a Spanish derivative for something very, very small. Like Costa Ricans, the Mono Titi live life to the fullest and have no use for disagreement or anything else that gets in the way of a good time. In a country that abolished its military sixty years ago and that provides universal health care to citizens, could there be a better symbol of Costa Rican life than the Mono Titi?
Sadly, the parallels begin to wear thin with their Tico counterparts. Unfortunately, the fuzzy little creatures are highly endangered: only 1700 remain, despite the influx of eco-tourism.
If you’d like to find out more about what you can do to save them and problems faced, the Eco Preservation Society is producing a documentary on the plight of the Mono Titi.
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Comments
Eco Preservation (not verified) says:
May 2nd, 2008 at 3am
What a nice article about the good biodiversity in a very beautiful part of the world. Pictures speak a thousand words and those pictures speak about a million words. We need the Mono Titi in the Washington Green film festival next year if that is possible.
We would love to be part of the Washington Green Film Festival next year. Cost Rica is truly an amazing place, no question about it.
Eco Interactive (not verified) says:
May 2nd, 2008 at 1pm
For those interested in coming to Costa Rica, Eco Interactive Tours supports the Saving Mono Titi Project. We are also a leader in offering Carbon Neutral travel along with private reforestation projects in the Costa Rican rainforest.
brittney (not verified) says:
Nov 20th, 2008 at 7pm
they are so cute, i have been thinking about buying a monkey my self, just a matter of findng a good one that i like, thank you they are so cute..
TreeBanker (not verified) says:
May 3rd, 2008 at 1am
Good Stuff Kevin,
We're looking forward to learning more about how we can help the Mono Titis.
Thanks for bringing the awareness to the masses.
Cierra (not verified) says:
Mar 7th, 2009 at 5am
I really love monkeys and wish there were a lot more
Paul Gardner (not verified) says:
Jan 13th, 2009 at 9pm
Thats adorable!
From Lovers and viers!
Paul Gardner (not verified) says:
Jan 13th, 2009 at 9pm
Thats so funny and cute!
From Lovers
Jeff Haddock (not verified) says:
May 1st, 2008 at 4pm
Kevin,
It sounds like you are having wayyyy too much fun. :)
Matt Reid (not verified) says:
May 1st, 2008 at 4pm
What a nice article about the good biodiversity in a very beautiful part of the world. Pictures speak a thousand words and those pictures speak about a million words. We need the Mono Titi in the Washington Green film festival next year if that is possible. I agree with Kevin we have very cute wildlife in the squirrel monkey of Costa Rica. This is one of the rare pleasures in life to see. Like many wild creatures the Mono Titi deserves your attention.
Alamojoman (not verified) says:
May 1st, 2008 at 6pm
Excellent! Oddly... I am actually in Costa Rica right now. How can I adopt a Mono Titi; just kidding! I need for the Mono Titi to adopt me. This is cool. Thanks!
Gretchen (not verified) says:
Super fantastic! Thanks for posting such a great story, and bringing awareness to an amazing creature and a fantastically diverse habitat.