Muriqui Day: how preservation began in Ibiti
On August 27, we celebrate Ibiti Day and Muriqui Day, the largest primate in the Americas and a critically endangered species. For Ibiti, the date has a special meaning: it was here that Muriqui House was born, an unprecedented project to preserve the northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus). It all started with the determination of Carlinhos Repetto, founder of Ibiti Projeto. Through reports from local residents, he knew that there were still muriquis living in Mata do Luna, an area threatened by deforestation. After a tireless search, Carlinhos managed to make the first photographic record of a northern muriqui in the region in 2002, confirming its occurrence. Listen to the audio Destiny transformed "I had been looking for this monkey for years," recalls Carlinhos. "This record was very important. It's on the back cover of the first book 'Reserva do Ibitipoca'. The photo of the monkey on the cover is by Araquém (Alcântara). When you open the book, there's a large black and white photo of the monkey, which was the first photographic record." At the time, Carlinhos found trees in full bloom with muricis, the monkeys' food, marked for felling. He went to the owner of the area and, with the support of his cousin Renato Machado, one of the creators of Ibiti, managed to buy Mata do Luna. This gesture was decisive: it guaranteed the preservation of the forest and started a conservation project that still resonates today. "It all started there," says Carlinhos. "I shouted to the world that it had to be preserved." And so the story of protecting the muriquis in Ibiti was born. Today, four decades on, the fight for the muriqui's survival continues. The Ibiti Project continues with regeneration and conservation actions, with unprecedented initiatives such as the Muriqui House project, developed in partnership with the Muriqui Biodiversity Institute - MIB. A historic step towards guaranteeing the future of the species. Celebrating Muriqui Day is above all celebrating the courage and vision of those who believed that preserving nature can transform destinies.
Maned wolf gives birth to two cubs in Ibiti
A rare and exciting scene took place in Areião, inside Ibiti: a female maned wolf gave birth to two pups in the wild. The fact, reported by a local resident who spotted the animals, is cause for celebration and reinforces the importance of conservation efforts in protected areas. We still have no records of the cubs. The image illustrating this article was taken by an Ibiti Projeto trap camera, in Areião, at another time. Although it doesn't show the birth, it is a real record of a maned wolf roaming the area. Choosing this regenerating territory as a shelter and nursery is, in itself, a sign of trust. The maned wolf, the symbol species of the Brazilian Cerrado, is considered an indicator of environmental health: it only stays and reproduces in balanced and preserved environments. "It's a gift from nature and a milestone for everyone working to regenerate this ecosystem," says Clariane Maranho, from Ibiti's Regeneration Department. "But it's also a moment that demands attention and respect: because she's with cubs, the female can adopt more protective behavior, which is natural in any species." How to act when you spot a maned wolf An endangered species, the maned wolf plays a vital role in the ecological balance, helping to control populations of small animals and dispersing seeds wherever it goes. Its survival depends directly on the conservation of its habitat and respectful coexistence with humans. May this new generation of wolves remind us once again that caring for nature means caring for the future of us all.