Bolivia's Spider Monkey Declared Endangered Amid Illegal Trade

The Bolivian spider monkey (Ateles chamek), the country's largest primate, was re‑classified from Vulnerable to Endangered in the 2026 Red List of Bolivian vertebrates. Scientists report a population decline of at least 50 % over the past 45 years, driven by illegal wildlife trafficking, hunting and habitat loss. The 2021 Supreme Decree 4489 and Law 1333 strengthen penalties for possession, commercialisation and hunting of wild fauna, aiming to curb the trade that has seen dozens of infants captured and adult individuals killed. Indigenous communities are permitted to hunt for subsistence, but commercial sales remain prohibited. The La Paz governor's office is coordinating actions to combat trafficking, though concrete responses are still pending. Recent rescues include nine infant monkeys saved in San Buenaventura, highlighting the urgency of enforcement and conservation measures.