A sanctuary in the Amazon to help squirrel monkeys find their way back to freedom

Wildlife trafficking is the fourth most lucrative illegal trade in the world, after drugs, weapons, and human trafficking. In Ecuador, urban expansion and poaching seriously threaten the country's 23 primate species, 801 of which are now endangered according to the IUCN. The squirrel monkey, one of the most trafficked primates, is particularly vulnerable due to its social nature, which makes it both attractive to the illegal pet trade and fragile once separated from its group.

In response to this situation, a wildlife sanctuary for abused or rescued animals was built in 2022 in the Ecuadorian Amazon, with the support of the Ecuadorian Ministry of the Environment, IKIAM University, and La Guilde. This partnership has enabled the development of awareness workshops in schools, the awarding of prizes to students, and teacher training, alongside the development of medical care for the animals and a support system for their release into nature reserves.

On the ground, the project relies on the local Tesoro de Naturaleza Foundation, which specializes in the preservation of Amazonian flora and fauna and is composed of biologists and veterinarians. IKIAM University and the Kamana Pacha Foundation complement this initiative as technical and financial partners. The refuge also hosts international volunteers and students, and the two associations conduct awareness-raising activities in France, notably at the Gardanne Ecomuseum.

Wildlife is not just an ecological asset, it constitutes the natural heritage of local populations, and the squirrel monkey in particular plays a pivotal role in the Amazonian ecosystem of the region.

Video : KURI PACHAMAM Refuge