Trade in night monkeys Aotus spp. in the Brazil–Colombia–Peru tri-border area: international wildlife trade regulations are ineffectively enforced

Abstract

This study describes significant levels of trade in 2 or possibly 3 species of night mon- keys (Aotus nancymaae, A. vociferans and A. nigriceps) from the Brazil-Colombia-Peru tri-border area. All 3 countries are Party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and there is no documented trade in night monkeys among these 3 countries in the CITES trade database. However, interviews with 43 traders/collectors in 11 commu- nities in the 3 countries suggest that for the period 2007-2008, ca. 4000 night monkeys were traded, representing a monetary value of over USD 100 000 for the traders and intermediaries. The intervie- wees indicated that the animals were sold to a biomedical laboratory in the tri-border area on the Colombian side of the border. The international nature of the trade and the large volume of night monkeys being traded indicate a violation of, and a failure to adhere to, international trade regula- tions. In order to conserve these important species, we suggest cooperative action from environmen- tal and conservation authorities and the respective CITES Management Authorities in Colombia, Peru and Brazil to curb the trade, and urge the Colombian authorities to investigate the illegal impor- tation of night monkeys by a biomedical laboratory in the border area.