Spider monkeys are counted among the 25 most endangered primate species. The smuggling of endangered species is calculated to be the fourth largest source of income for criminals.
The border guards of Brownsville, Texas, located on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, experienced quite a surprise when seven baby monkeys were found in a small daypack during the border inspection.
In the video taken by the border guards, the spider monkeys look at their rescuers from the bottom of the backpack, at least as surprised. The encounter immediately aroused feelings of pity in the border guards.
– Oh baby beards! can be heard from the video soundtrack.
The monkeys were baby spider monkeys, which are highly endangered. Fort Brown Border Patrol agents arrested the owner of the perforated backpack and turned the baby monkeys over to U.S. Animal Control.
According to the American Wildlife Conservation Society, Central American spider monkeys are found in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama. Due to habitat loss, hunting and the illegal pet trade, they are considered critically endangered. The organization has listed the spider monkey among the world’s 25 most endangered primates.
There are seven species of spider monkeys, but now the species of the found chicks was not known to the border guard. According to WWF, spider monkeys are an integral part of the tropical rainforest ecosystem. As plant and seed eaters, they play a key role in seed dispersal.
In WWF’s risk analysis, spider monkeys are an animal species in a “vulnerable” position. The classification means that they have a high risk of extinction in the wild.
The discovery by Texas border guards is considered significant, as the smuggling of endangered species is a widespread form of crime.
According to the US Border Patrol, about $23 billion is spent annually in smuggling and the illegal pet trade. According to calculations, it is the fourth largest source of income for criminals.
Illegal trade in endangered species is sustained by the growing demand for various products around the world. Such products include, for example, ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine, exotic pets, decorative objects, jewelry, accessories, furs and various trophies.