Here's your February invitation to get inspired by the mesmerization of monkeys. Over 200 species, and my primate-typical inquisitiveness has sent me on a couple years of wandering across stories and habitats, challenges, and new partnerships rising up for our ancient kin. In a series of 1-minute reads over the next four weeks, I will share news of four extraordinary women disrupting the dire trajectories being experienced by so many of these incredible fellow creatures. Standing up for love of family--in a broader than usual sense.

Photo (below) courtesy of Utica Zoo

Primates and Partnerships, Part One: A graduate student from icy Wisconsin, Anne Savage first traveled to humid Colombia in the none-too-safe 1980’s, studied cotton-top tamarins for decades with conservation biologist Luis Soto, and still now works beside Colombian native Rosamira Guillen through Proyecto Titi on efforts to protect these captivating monkeys from extinction. Scientific research combines with forest restoration, environmental awareness and community development to reduce threats and engage people from many different angles. Proyecto Tití has protected nearly 5,400 hectares and created more than 200 hectares of critical forest corridor. Over 12,000 school children from nearby communities have learned the wild importance of their local charismatic superstar. Cottontop Tamarins have at least 38 distinct sounds to express joy, curiosity, fear, warnings, playfulness. Hear more, here--https://www.proyectotiti.com/en-us/

Stay tuned for Part Two of Primates & Partnerships, next week.