Anthropogenic Habitat Modification, Tourist Interactions and Crop-Raiding in Howler Monkeys

In this chapter, we review how anthropogenic disturbance specifically impacts members of the genus Alouatta, one of the most geographically expansive and ecologically flexible of platyrrhine groups. This report initiates with a brief discussion of the use of matrix landscapes, the effects of ecotourism, and the potential for crop-raiding by howler monkeys. We then present three case studies of howler monkey responses to these challenges. We found that tourism in Suriname leads to greater travel and foraging time and poorer health for A. macconnelli. A. palliata in Costa Rica living in an agricultural matrix respond to habitat modification through active crop-raiding, and A. pigra in Mexico provide an illustration of how to evaluate remnant monkey populations for potential ecotourism. The chapter concludes with recommendations for encouraging shared landscapes with howler monkeys, including ways to minimize crop damage by monkeys and ways to encourage sustainable, conservation-based ecotourism.