The animals had been victims of illegal trafficking and were released in the rural area of ​​Dibulla, after a rehabilitation process

After several months of rehabilitation, Regional Autonomous Corporation of La Guajira, Corpoguajira, released seven howler monkeys, who had been victims of illegal wildlife trafficking.

The release was recorded in the reserve Good Example, a civil society project that is carried out in the village of Mingueo, Township Dibulla, where the animals can
be in their natural habitat, to guarantee its reproduction and conservation.

That's how he explained it, German Sanchez Ariza, fauna professional in the Ecosystems and Biodiversity group of the Corporation, who led the activity and specified that some of these
monkeys were rescued by the National Police and others handed over by those who had them in captivity.

“The monkeys were for several months in the Corpoguajira Wildlife Assessment and Care Center., where we teach them to eat the food they can find in their habitat and where they established a community environment. Based on this, the decision was made to release them in this reserve so that they have the opportunity to settle in their own territory”, he pointed.

He indicated that, within the released group, there was a howler monkey that was rescued by Corpoguajira in June of this year, when he toured the houses and commercial establishments of the historic center and the Arriba neighborhood of Riohacha and which had been baptized by the community as Pepa.

Sánchez affirmed that Pepa is an emblematic case and that she spent nearly eight months in that sector, causing fear in some people and astonishment for others., who admired its majesty and beauty.

She because of her size, development and behavior was identified as the leader of the pack, although perhaps in freedom that will change until a dominant male appears”, added the
official.

Regarding the howler monkey, he explained that this is a representative species of La Guajira, which can be found mainly on the banks of the Ranchería River, where fortunately there is still a gallery forest, although it also has a presence in the Sierra Nevada, in the Serranía del Perijá and in Montes de Oca.

Corpoguajira reminds the community that keeping animals in captivity is a crime and calls for those who have them, give them up voluntarily to give them the opportunity to return to their natural habitat.