Moving home: Improving reintroduction outcomes and human-capuchin monkey coexistence in Brazilian caatinga and forest fragments.

In this project, we bring together a team of four proposed MITACs globalink student scholars working in Brazil and Canada with supervisors directly involved with the research project. We will begin to fill the gaps in knowledge about successful reintroduction of capuchin monkeys by 1) conducting behavioural research on bearded brown capuchin (*Sapajus libidinosus*) personality variables among pre-release captive monkeys during rehabilitation; 2) collecting data in the field post-release to measure habitat use through observation, trail cameras, and GPS collar tracking, and 3) analyzing data on direct field follows of habituated wild blond capuchins (*Sapajus flavius*) living in a forest fragment to examine group movement patterns and habitat use. The results from this research will improve human-primate coexistence and biodiversity conservation management, both directly in Brazil and indirectly for similar wildlife and behavioural ecology projects in Canada and globally.

Faculty Supervisor:

Sarah Turner

Student:

Partner:

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Education

University:

Concordia University

Program: