{"id":8440,"date":"2026-03-03T15:21:39","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T18:21:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ibiti.com\/?p=8440"},"modified":"2026-03-17T19:29:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T22:29:13","slug":"get-to-know-the-muriqui-monkey-and-see-why-its-urgent-to-preserve-the-species","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ibiti.com\/en\/get-to-know-the-muriqui-monkey-and-see-why-its-urgent-to-preserve-the-species\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet the muriqui monkey and see why preserving the species is urgent."},"content":{"rendered":"

Everyone knows the jaguar. They've probably heard of the golden lion tamarin. They are symbols of Brazilian fauna. But few know that Brazil is home to the largest primate in the Americas and that it could disappear without most of the population even having heard its name. We are talking about the northern muriqui, an endemic species of the Atlantic Forest and critically endangered. There are about a thousand individuals left in the wild.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To change this fate, the Ibiti Project, in partnership with the NGO Muriqui Biodiversity Institute <\/a>(MIB) is developing a groundbreaking initiative in Brazil: the Muriqui House. There, eight muriquis now live under scientific monitoring, in an area integrated into the regenerated forest. Each one carries a story of survival. And together they help rebuild the future of the species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The work doesn't stop there. To expand genetic diversity and strengthen the local population, eight more muriquis will be reintroduced into the forests of the Ibiti Project. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Intrigued? Read on for more details about this pioneering initiative worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are muriquis?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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There are two different species of muriqui in Brazil, living in distinct geographical areas: The northern muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus<\/em>) occurs in southern Bahia, Minas Gerais, Esp\u00edrito Santo, and the northern portion of Rio de Janeiro. The southern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides<\/em>) inhabits southern Minas Gerais, S\u00e3o Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Paran\u00e1. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both species are threatened. But the situation of the northern muriqui is even more delicate, and it is precisely this species that lives in the Ibiti region and is the protagonist of the Muriqui House story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The muriqui can weigh up to 15 kilograms and reach over a meter in length, including its tail. Also known as the woolly monkey, it moves with impressive lightness through the treetops. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Tupi-Guarani, "muriqui" means "gentle people of the forest." They don't fight for power aggressively. There is no dominant alpha male. Conflicts are resolved with long hugs. That's why they earned the nickname "hippies of the forest.".<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They are exclusively vegetarian and play a crucial ecological role: by feeding on fruits and leaves, they disperse seeds, helping to regenerate the Atlantic Forest. Wherever there are muriquis, the forest thrives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are they threatened?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The main problem is the fragmentation of the Atlantic Forest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The forest, which was once continuous, is now divided into small fragments isolated by pastures, fences, and roads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As females reach maturity, they need to migrate to other groups to ensure genetic diversity. However, upon leaving their fragmented areas, many encounter insurmountable barriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without connectivity between forest areas, there is no genetic exchange. Without genetic exchange, populations weaken. Saving the muriqui monkey requires more than protection: it requires rebuilding connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muriqui House: an operation for survival<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Eliot is the first muriqui cub born in a controlled environment.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the area surrounding Ibitipoca State Park, the Ibiti Project, in partnership with the Muriqui Institute of Biodiversity (MIB), the Federal University of Vi\u00e7osa, the National Center for Research and Conservation of Brazilian Primates (ICMBio), and the University of Wisconsin\u2013Madison (USA), maintains the Muriqui House, a center for the management, research, rehabilitation, and population reconstruction of the species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a monitored area, integrated into the regenerated forest, where isolated or rescued individuals can live in groups, under technical supervision. Today, eight muriquis live there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It all started with Luna and Bertolino, two siblings who survived in the region's forests. Then came the females Ecol\u00f3gica and Socorro. Morfeu was found as a newborn, almost lifeless. He survived thanks to the intensive care of the MIB team and today is part of the group. Nena and Cora arrived through rescues and are going through a social adaptation process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eliot was born there. Son of Bertolino, a male from the region, and Ecol\u00f3gica, a female from another group, Eliot was the first muriqui cub born naturally within a controlled environment. His birth represents a milestone in the genetic reconnection of the local population. And it is proof that the work is yielding results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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