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Titi Tidbits: June Edition

Titi Tidbits: June Edition

We are proud to announce that our very own Rosamira Guillen, Executive Director of Proyecto Tití, recently traveled to Washington D.C. to accept the 2017 National Geographic Society/Buffet Award for Leadership in Conservation. This award recognizes Rosamira’s outstanding accomplishments in conservation and is meant to encourage future successful activities in Colombia and beyond. The award ceremony took place during the National Geographic Explorers Symposium Week in Washington D.C. June 13-18. The symposium featured scientists and explorers from the National Geographic community. In addition to being recognized, Rosamira was given the opportunity to meet with the National Geographic media divisions, attend symposium sessions, and brief National Geographic leadership on conservation issues affecting her community. Congratulations, Rosamira!

Thanks to the support of our amazing donors, 4,600 young seedling trees were planted in the first of three planting sessions as part of forest restoration efforts in San Juan. These restoration areas will help create forest corridors to connect the nearly 2,500 acre Los Colorados National Park with other isolated forest areas that surround it, providing the first opportunity to connect these areas for cotton-top tamarins and other local wildlife.

Proyecto Tití collaborated with local farmers for the project. In January, a workshop was held to talk about the reforestation efforts and develop practices that would be used in the field to ensure good survival of the seedlings. The farmers set up a nursery in their village and were given seeds to grow and seedlings to care for.       

This was a huge effort for the farmers, as the planting needed to coincide with the rainy season.  Once the rains arrive, the dirt roads are virtually impassable by vehicle.  Therefore, the most reliable method of transporting the seedlings from the community nursery to the reforestation site was … good old-burros!  They are the most sure-footed creatures and never leave their caretakers stuck in the mud as vehicles tend to do! 

“It was astounding to see the local farmers plant their first few trees after caring for them for so many months,” said Rosamira Guillen, Proyecto Tití Executive Director. “Not only were the farmers proud, but it was quite exciting even for me, knowing that the trees we planted are going to be home for wildlife and provide our cotton-top tamarins with food and shelter … amazing!”

Many thanks to the farmers and also to our local partners: the National Park Service staff at Santuario Los Colorados, Fundación Herencia Ambiental Caribe, and Fundación Ecosistemas Secos, who have worked tirelessly to make all of this a reality for cotton-top tamarins! 


      

 


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Position Statement

Proyecto Tití's Position Statement on nonhuman primates in the Media

WHEREAS live nonhuman primates are often portrayed in the media as frivolous caricatures of humans, dressed in clothing and trained to do tricks on command for the amusement of the general public but with disregard to the welfare and conservation consequences; and
WHEREAS many nonhuman primates used as actors in movies and television and as photo props for commercials and greeting cards are often removed from their mothers shortly after birth and are denied opportunities for normal social and psychological development; and
WHEREAS the use of nonhuman primates in this industry often involves aversive techniques to maintain control of these animals; and
WHEREAS the inappropriate portrayal of nonhuman primates inaccurately conveys their biology and conservation status and may affect public attitudes including those in range countries where interactions with these animals have potential damaging consequences; and
WHEREAS evidence suggests that many nonhuman primate species are susceptible to many of the pathogenic infections that afflict humans and the transmission of infection can occur in both directions, especially in performing circumstances in which primates are in direct proximity with public audiences including children and the elderly,
Proyecto Titi Inc. and Fundacion Proyecto Titi therefore opposes the use of nonhuman primates as performers, photo props or actors.