UNCERTAIN CONSERVATION STATUS OF SQUIRREL-MONKEYS IN COSTA-RICA, SAIMIRI-OERSTEDI OERSTEDI AND SAIMIRI-OERSTEDI CITRINELLUS

Central American squirrel monkeys, Saimiri oerstedi, have never been a bundant. This species is apparently extinct in Panama and nearly so in Costa Pica. Less than 4,000 are estimated to survive in Costa Pica. T n recent years only a limited number of squirrel monkey troops have be en documented outside of two Costa Rican national parks, Parques Nacio nales Corcovado and Manuel Antonio. Numerous factors contribute to a p essimistic prognosis for this species, most importantly, the continued deforestation and tourist development with concomitant demands on pri me squirrel monkey habitat from hotels, restaurants, roads, and vacati on villas in the Pacific Wet Lowland habitat of squirrel monkeys. We a lso highlight features of the natural history of this species most rel evant to conservation efforts with the goal of enhancing the success o f surveys and maintenance and breeding of captive groups.