Bolivia: Inti Wara Yassi - Azara's Night Monkeys

Among the most interesting and enigmatic species that I have had the pleasure of seeing, enriching, playing with, feeding, walking (on a leash to their designated play ground) and being bitten by are the three amazing Azara's Night Monkeys (Aotus azarae) that are currently being rehabilitated by Inti Wara Yassi, Pete, Celine and Cucu. On our arrival at the park, due to their nocturnal nature conflicting with peoples down time, these three monkeys were largely forgotten about by the volunteers. But after one evening with them I was hooked.
I ended up spending almost every spare moment I had enriching their lives through enclosure development, toy manufacturing and just generally spending time with them and ensuring they were happy and healthy. In turn, they also enriched my life, making my life at Inti Wara Yassi all the better for their presence.

 

Azara's Night Monkeys (Aotus azarae)

Azara's Night Monkeys are one of 8 species of night monkey that occur throughout South and Central America. Although this species of night monkey is widely distributed through Panama, northern Colombia, northwestern Venezuela, northern Peru, southern Brazil, and eastern Ecuador much of its habitat is under threat due to clearing for agricultural purposes.

The 8 species of night monkey constitute the only fully nocturnal species' of primate in the world resulting in a reduced level of competition between diurnal primates that may otherwise compete for fruits, leaves, flowers, and insects.

The Azaras Night Monkeys of Inti Wara Yassi

All three Azara's Night Monkeys that were managed by Inti Wara Yassi at Parque Ambue Ari were surrendered to the park at a very young age. These monkeys all have had run ins with humans at one stage or another that resulted in them requiring the care and attention that is provided by the park.

Pete: Pete was the only male of the three night monkeys. He was separated from his mother when he was a baby during farm construction activities and was surrendered to the park by the farmer who found him among wood debris. Although a little moody at times due to the hormonal changes occurring as he was coming of age, he was generally a happy, inquisitive monkey who would mischievously play with your clothing, bounce around the cage like an energiser bunny, play with whatever toys we made or sit on your head holding your hair like reigns and ride you through the jungle to their play ground.

Celine: Celine was probably the most affectionate and beautiful of the three night monkeys and her back story is not very clear. Despite being blind in one eye as the result of an ongoing fungus infection which made here quite quiet and placid, she was always the first to welcome new volunteers to the family and climb up on their shoulder where she would sit happily for the entire evening just enjoying the company. Her blindness also did not slow her reflexes as, being partially insectivorous, she would be nothing but a blur of fur streaking across the cage to catch a stray grasshopper that made its way into the cage.

Cuco: Its sad to say but during my time at Inti Wara Yassi, Cucu was the night monkey that I got to know the least.  She was found by a lady in a marketplace in Santa Cruz and, after being purchased, was surrendered to the park. Her timid nature made her generally very stand offish, only coming over to greet you once you had spent a bit of time getting to know her. Once we had made a connection though she was more than happy to come out for a walk to the play ground, play with a toy you had made her or even come over and groom you.