Mono Tití

Grey Crowned Central American Squirrel Monkey

The mono tití, or the grey crowned red-backed squirrel monkey (Saimiri oerstedii citrinellus), is the smallest primate in Costa Rica. This subspecies is only found in and around Quepos/Manuel Antonio National Park on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. They have been listed as Critically Endangered by IUCN Red List since 1996; and Endangered in 2008.

The Mono Titi as an Indicator of Environmental Degradation of Costa Rica's Central Pacific Region

Costa Rica's Central Pacific region, and particularly the area around the Manuel Antonio National Park, has been undergoing an intense process of economic development and land use change over the last fifteen years. A disturbing result of these changes is the very serious environmental degradation of the region and of the Manuel Antonio National Park. The most alarming indicator of the ecological future of the region is the situation faced by the mono tití. This adorable subspecies of monkey is endemic to the area around Manuel Antonio and Quepos and it is on the verge of extinction.

According to a study in 2006 by the University of Florida anthropologist Sue Boinski, approximately 1,500 individuals of this subspecies and 4,000 individuals of the species on the whole, remained in the area at that time. That's down from a population estimated at 200,000 in 1983! Urgent action must be taken to save this beautiful monkey.

The titis’ fall from a status of Critically Endangered to Endangered is a positive sign, displaying the real, tangible results of research and conservation efforts already in place. Now, it is up to us all to continue this work, and ensure the titis’ continued rise out of the danger of extinction.

At the Titi Conservation Alliance, we promise to continue to preserve and protect this peaceful primate. We hope that you will join us in this fight.