5 Capuchins Kidnap 11 Howler Infants on Jicarón—Conservation Alert

Govind Tekale

A secret capuchin abduction trend has stunned primatologists.

Photo Source: Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour

11 infant howlers vanished in just 15 months of camera footage.

Photo Source: Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour

Some were held alone, for up to nine days, until they starved.

Photo Source: Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour

All eyes are on one rogue male called “Joker” who sparked it all.

Photo Source: Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour

Within months, four imitators joined his deadly tradition.

Photo Source: Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour

Losing so many newborns could collapse a Vulnerable subspecies.

Photo Source: Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour

Experts call it a cultural fad with devastating wildlife costs.

Photo Source: Max Planck Institute of Animal Behaviour

Coiba National Park must step up monitoring now.

Photo Credit: Vyacheslav Argenberg (CC BY 4.0)