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global wildlife conservation logo

Senior Associate Global Wildlife Conservation

President of the International Primatological Society

Awarded to Karen Strier by the American Society of Primatologists.

Distinguished Primatologist Award

Cidadão Honorário de Caratinga, A Camara Municipal de Caratinga, Minas Gerais, Brasil

Honorary Citizenship of the city of Caratinga (2013)

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Elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2009)

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Honorary Doctorate Degree, University of Chicago (2006)

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Humans Would Be Better Off If They Monkeyed Around Like the Muriquis

Behind the science pod

Dr. Karen Strier: Protecting the World’s Most Peaceful Primates

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Mulheres na Conservação

The Brazilian Atlantic forest is shrinking that threatens the northern muriqui monkey. Karen is planting trees in an impressive project to save them.

Karen Strier & Carla Possamai

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The Muriqui: Brazil’s critically endangered “hippie monkey” hangs tough

Donate to Karen - A Primatologist Saving Monkeys & Habitats

SDG 13 Climate Action

SDG 15 Life on Land

## In short 
Karen is a Primatologist and Professor of Anthropology who has been studying and fighting for the conservation of the northern muriqui monkeys and their habitat for the past two decades.

**Longest study of the species**
I have been studying the northern muriqui monkey near Caratinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil since 1983. It’s the longest study anyone has done on this species.

**Losing their homes**
The species is Critically Endangered and has been listed as one of the 25 most threatened primates in the world. It is also the largest primate of the Americas, and the most peaceful primate on the planet. The main problem for the monkey is that most of their habitat has been lost due to destruction and fragmentation of their home, the Atlantic Forest. 

**Saving the Brazilian rainforest**
Today only 10% remains of this rainforest which is considered among the top five “hottest” hotspots for biodiversity in the world. If we can protect this forest and help it to grow and stay strong, then we have a really good chance of sustaining these animals for future generations. 

## Achievements and highlights
When we first started studying the muriquis there were two groups of monkeys in the forest. Each group had about 20–22 animals. So the total population was around 50. And then, at its peak, in 2015, the population had grown to 355 animals. 

The highlight of the Society for the Preservation of Muriqui is the Muriqui Project of Caratinga, the ongoing field study of the northern muriqui monkey. In addition to being the longest, continuous, non-invasive study of this species and among the longest running studies of any South American primate, the project has trained more than 70 Brazilian students and contributes fundamentally to capacity building and education at local, regional, national, and international scales.

For the organization, the biggest success has been its long-term commitment to supporting research and conservation. This commitment continues the legacy of Senhor Feliciano Miguel Abdala, who purchased the forest and surrounding farmland in the 1940s. Upon his death, his family converted the forest to become a perpetual private natural heritage reserve, recognized by the Brazilian government for its conservation importance. Over the years, Preserve Muriqui has partnered with renowned institutions such as Conservation International Brazil, SOS Mata Atlantica,IUCN, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and most recently, Global Wildlife Conservation.

## My organization
The Society for the Preservation of Muriqui (SPM) was established in 2001 to manage the Private Natural Heritage Reserve Feliciano Miguel Abdala. Its main goal is to act in the awareness of environmental preservation and conservation of biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest, notably the habitat of the Critically Endangered muriqui whose largest known population is present in this area in Caratinga, Brazil. 

The Society for Muriqui's Preservation, “Preserve-Muriqui”, is a non profitable entity, located in Caratinga’s Municipal district. It was founded by the Abdala's family and with widespread support from the local community. Its primary goal is to continue with the work of Mr. Feliciano Abdala – preserving a forest of about 900 hectares that once belonged to his farm, Fazenda Montes Claros. The forest was transformed in the Natural Patrimony Private Reserve Feliciano Miguel Abdala, and has one of the biggest populations of the northern muriqui monkey. The northern muriqui is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN and it has been listed as one of the 25 most threatened primates in the world. 

Our mission is to continually seek a long-term solution to guarantee the preservation of the northern muriqui and its natural environment. Our perspective is to promote joint work between researchers, producers and inhabitants of the neighboring properties and the local communities around the Reserve. 

## Projects
Since 1983, the Muriqui Project of Caratinga has been working with Brazilian students and colleagues in one of the last remaining strongholds for northern muriquis – a privately owned, federally protected reserve near the Brazilian city of Caratinga.
Our goal is to expand ongoing natural regeneration of the forest around the Caratinga reserve to increase the area of suitable habitat for the muriqui and establish connectivity with other forest fragments. We also want to continue to preserve and manage all conservation, research and educational activities at the RPPN Feliciano Miguel Abdala.
We want to ensure the ecological and genetic diversity of the entire population of the species required for the northern muriqui to adapt in a rapidly changing world. For this we need to expand and manage the regeneration and restoration of Brazil’s larger Atlantic forest and the conservation, research, and educational activities it supports. We want to save the world’s most peaceful primate.

**Reforestation project**
Over the years as the population of the muriquis has grown we’ve have been documenting a lot of behavioral changes, like what the animals do when they're in a crowded situation. The forest has limits and we realized that we needed more forests to support a growing population of the muriquis. That’s the most important reason behind our reforestation project. If we build a forest corridor that would help the muriquis to grow in population. A forest corridor is an area connecting different wildlife populations with each other. So individuals between populations, in this case muriquis, can connect. This is important because this will prevent inbreeding, as well as provide more forested area with food for more muriquis.   

We know we can succeed in this area because we've watched forest regeneration occur by itself, and we’ve already helped the process go faster. But we need to do even more to help the Critically Endangered muriqui population to grow. Ultimately we want to create more space for the monkeys and eventually link this forest, in this reserve, with an another forest with another isolated population of muriquis. 

It’s very important to make the habitat for the muriquis bigger. In 2016 for example, there was a yellow fever outbreak in Brazil, and we lost some animals in that region during that time. We're not 100 % sure it was from the yellow fever, but the coincidence of the timing makes it very likely. That showed us how fragile a population can be and just how quickly it can be affected. We also had a few forest fires as a result of really dry years, which we can expect will occur more often in the future because of the climate change. The only way we can really protect the animals is to make sure they have enough space so they can leave the area and move out of a place that is risky. Creating forest corridors will make that possible.

If we can't protect this forest, we run the risk of losing the species. But if we can protect this forest and help it to grow and stay strong, then we have a really good chance of sustaining these animals for future generations.

## Awards and recognitions
Preserve Muriqui has been recognized as the Best of Brazil and by the Brazilian government.

Karen has been recognized with Honorary Citizenship of Caratinga (2013) and many other awards including:
- Senior Associate, Global Wildlife Conservation, 2019
- President of the International Primatological Society, 2016
- Distinguished Primatologist Award, American Society of Primatologists, 2010
- Elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2009
- Honorary Doctorate Degree, University of Chicago, 2006
- Elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, 2005
- Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2003
- Fellow of the American Anthropological Association, 1991

## Publications
**Authored Books**

- 2017 Leitão, M., Strier, K.B., Mittermeier, R.A., and Abranches, S. Muriqui – Reis da Mata.
- File Festival, São Paulo. ISBM: 978-85-89730-21-1
- 2016 Strier, K.B. Primate Behavioral Ecology, 5th Edition, Routledge (Taylor & Francis).
- 2014 Mendes, S.L., Silva, M.P., Oliveira, M.Z.T., and Strier, K.B. O Muriqui: Símbolo
- da Mata Atlântica, 2o edição. IPEMA—Instituto de Pesquisas da Mata Atlantica, Publicação do Programa Difusão da Biodiversidade, Projeto Muriqui, Espirito Santo, Brasil.
- 2010 Mendes, S.L., da Silva, M.P., and Strier, K.B. O Muriqui. IPEMA—Instituto de Pesquisas da Mata Atlantica, Publicação do Programa Difusão da Biodiversidade, Vitória, Espirito Santo, Brasil.
- 2007 Strier, K.B. Faces na Floresta. Preserve Muriqui, Rio de Janeiro (Brazilian edition of Faces in the Forest, new preface)

**Recent Journal Articles**

- 2019 Lima, M., Mendes, S.L., and Strier, K.B. Habitat use in a population of the Northern Muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus). International Journal of Primatology (published online 25 July 2019): https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764- 019-00098-7
- 2019 Strier, K.B., Tabacow, F.P. Possamai, C.B., Ferreira, A.I.G., Nery, M., de Melo, F.R., and Mendes, S.L. Status of the northern muriqui in the time of yellow fever.Primates 60: 21-28 (published online 24 November 2018)https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-018-0701-8
- 2017 Strier, K.B., Possami, C.B. Tabacow, F.P., Pissinatti, A., Lanna, A.M., Melo, F.R., Moreira, L., Talebi, M., Breves, P., Mendes, S.L., and Jerusalinsky, L. Demographic monitoring of wild muriqui populations: Criteria for defining priority areas and monitoring intensity. PLoS One PLoS ONE 12(12): e0188922. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0188922
- 2015 Jung, L., Mourthé, I., Grelle, C.E.V., Strier, K.B., and Boubli, J.P. Effects of local habitat vriation on the behavioral ecology of two sympatric groups of brown howler monkey (Alouatta clamitans). PLoS One 10(7): e0129789. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0129789
- 2014 Strier, K.B., Lee, P.C., and Ives, A.R. Behavioral flexibility and the evolution of primate social states. PLoS ONE 9(12): e114099.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0114099
- 2014 Tokuda, M., Boubli, J.P., Mourthé, I., Izar, P., Possamai, C.B. and Strier, K.B. Males follow females during fissioning of a group of northern muriquis. American Journal of Primatology 76:529-538 (DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22244).
- 2013 Iurck, M.F., Nowak, M.G., Costa, L.C.M., Mendes, S.L., Ford, S.M., and Strier, K.B. Feeding and resting postures of wild northern muriquis (Brachyteles hypoxanthus). American Journal of Primatology 75:74-87.


In short
Karen is a Primatologist and Professor of Anthropology who has been studying and fighting for the conservation of the northern muriqui monkeys and their habitat for the past two decades.

Longest study of the species
I have been studying the northern muriqui monkey near Caratinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil since 1983. It’s the longest study anyone has done on this species.

Losing their homes
The species is Critically Endangered and has been listed as one of the 25 most threatened primates in the world. It is also the largest primate of the Americas, and the most peaceful primate on the planet. The main problem for the monkey is that most of their habitat has been lost due to destruction and fragmentation of their home, the Atlantic Forest.

Saving the Brazilian rainforest
Today only 10% remains of this rainforest which is considered among the top five “hottest” hotspots for biodiversity in the world. If we can protect this forest and help it to grow and stay strong, then we have a really good chance of sustaining these animals for future generations.

Achievements and highlights
When we first started studying the muriquis there were two groups of monkeys in the forest. Each group had about 20–22 animals. So the total population was around 50. And then, at its peak, in 2015, the population had grown to 355 animals.

The highlight of the Society for the Preservation of Muriqui is the Muriqui Project of Caratinga, the ongoing field study of the northern muriqui monkey. In addition to being the longest, continuous, non-invasive study of this species and among the longest running studies of any South American primate, the project has trained more than 70 Brazilian students and contributes fundamentally to capacity building and education at local, regional, national, and international scales.

For the organization, the biggest success has been its long-term commitment to supporting research and conservation. This commitment continues the legacy of Senhor Feliciano Miguel Abdala, who purchased the forest and surrounding farmland in the 1940s. Upon his death, his family converted the forest to become a perpetual private natural heritage reserve, recognized by the Brazilian government for its conservation importance. Over the years, Preserve Muriqui has partnered with renowned institutions such as Conservation International Brazil, SOS Mata Atlantica,IUCN, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and most recently, Global Wildlife Conservation.

My organization
The Society for the Preservation of Muriqui (SPM) was established in 2001 to manage the Private Natural Heritage Reserve Feliciano Miguel Abdala. Its main goal is to act in the awareness of environmental preservation and conservation of biodiversity of the Atlantic Forest, notably the habitat of the Critically Endangered muriqui whose largest known population is present in this area in Caratinga, Brazil.

The Society for Muriqui's Preservation, “Preserve-Muriqui”, is a non profitable entity, located in Caratinga’s Municipal district. It was founded by the Abdala's family and with widespread support from the local community. Its primary goal is to continue with the work of Mr. Feliciano Abdala – preserving a forest of about 900 hectares that once belonged to his farm, Fazenda Montes Claros. The forest was transformed in the Natural Patrimony Private Reserve Feliciano Miguel Abdala, and has one of the biggest populations of the northern muriqui monkey. The northern muriqui is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN and it has been listed as one of the 25 most threatened primates in the world.

Our mission is to continually seek a long-term solution to guarantee the preservation of the northern muriqui and its natural environment. Our perspective is to promote joint work between researchers, producers and inhabitants of the neighboring properties and the local communities around the Reserve.

Projects
Since 1983, the Muriqui Project of Caratinga has been working with Brazilian students and colleagues in one of the last remaining strongholds for northern muriquis – a privately owned, federally protected reserve near the Brazilian city of Caratinga.
Our goal is to expand ongoing natural regeneration of the forest around the Caratinga reserve to increase the area of suitable habitat for the muriqui and establish connectivity with other forest fragments. We also want to continue to preserve and manage all conservation, research and educational activities at the RPPN Feliciano Miguel Abdala.
We want to ensure the ecological and genetic diversity of the entire population of the species required for the northern muriqui to adapt in a rapidly changing world. For this we need to expand and manage the regeneration and restoration of Brazil’s larger Atlantic forest and the conservation, research, and educational activities it supports. We want to save the world’s most peaceful primate.

Reforestation project
Over the years as the population of the muriquis has grown we’ve have been documenting a lot of behavioral changes, like what the animals do when they're in a crowded situation. The forest has limits and we realized that we needed more forests to support a growing population of the muriquis. That’s the most important reason behind our reforestation project. If we build a forest corridor that would help the muriquis to grow in population. A forest corridor is an area connecting different wildlife populations with each other. So individuals between populations, in this case muriquis, can connect. This is important because this will prevent inbreeding, as well as provide more forested area with food for more muriquis.

We know we can succeed in this area because we've watched forest regeneration occur by itself, and we’ve already helped the process go faster. But we need to do even more to help the Critically Endangered muriqui population to grow. Ultimately we want to create more space for the monkeys and eventually link this forest, in this reserve, with an another forest with another isolated population of muriquis.

It’s very important to make the habitat for the muriquis bigger. In 2016 for example, there was a yellow fever outbreak in Brazil, and we lost some animals in that region during that time. We're not 100 % sure it was from the yellow fever, but the coincidence of the timing makes it very likely. That showed us how fragile a population can be and just how quickly it can be affected. We also had a few forest fires as a result of really dry years, which we can expect will occur more often in the future because of the climate change. The only way we can really protect the animals is to make sure they have enough space so they can leave the area and move out of a place that is risky. Creating forest corridors will make that possible.

If we can't protect this forest, we run the risk of losing the species. But if we can protect this forest and help it to grow and stay strong, then we have a really good chance of sustaining these animals for future generations.

Awards and recognitions
Preserve Muriqui has been recognized as the Best of Brazil and by the Brazilian government.

Karen has been recognized with Honorary Citizenship of Caratinga (2013) and many other awards including:
Senior Associate, Global Wildlife Conservation, 2019
President of the International Primatological Society, 2016
Distinguished Primatologist Award, American Society of Primatologists, 2010
Elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 2009
Honorary Doctorate Degree, University of Chicago, 2006
Elected member of the National Academy of Sciences, 2005
Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2003
Fellow of the American Anthropological Association, 1991

Publications
Authored Books

2017 Leitão, M., Strier, K.B., Mittermeier, R.A., and Abranches, S. Muriqui – Reis da Mata.
File Festival, São Paulo. ISBM: 978-85-89730-21-1
2016 Strier, K.B. Primate Behavioral Ecology, 5th Edition, Routledge (Taylor & Francis).
2014 Mendes, S.L., Silva, M.P., Oliveira, M.Z.T., and Strier, K.B. O Muriqui: Símbolo
da Mata Atlântica, 2o edição. IPEMA—Instituto de Pesquisas da Mata Atlantica, Publicação do Programa Difusão da Biodiversidade, Projeto Muriqui, Espirito Santo, Brasil.
2010 Mendes, S.L., da Silva, M.P., and Strier, K.B. O Muriqui. IPEMA—Instituto de Pesquisas da Mata Atlantica, Publicação do Programa Difusão da Biodiversidade, Vitória, Espirito Santo, Brasil.
2007 Strier, K.B. Faces na Floresta. Preserve Muriqui, Rio de Janeiro (Brazilian edition of Faces in the Forest, new preface)

Recent Journal Articles

2019 Lima, M., Mendes, S.L., and Strier, K.B. Habitat use in a population of the Northern Muriqui (Brachyteles hypoxanthus). International Journal of Primatology (published online 25 July 2019): https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764- 019-00098-7
2019 Strier, K.B., Tabacow, F.P. Possamai, C.B., Ferreira, A.I.G., Nery, M., de Melo, F.R., and Mendes, S.L. Status of the northern muriqui in the time of yellow fever.Primates 60: 21-28 (published online 24 November 2018)https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-018-0701-8
2017 Strier, K.B., Possami, C.B. Tabacow, F.P., Pissinatti, A., Lanna, A.M., Melo, F.R., Moreira, L., Talebi, M., Breves, P., Mendes, S.L., and Jerusalinsky, L. Demographic monitoring of wild muriqui populations: Criteria for defining priority areas and monitoring intensity. PLoS One PLoS ONE 12(12): e0188922. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0188922
2015 Jung, L., Mourthé, I., Grelle, C.E.V., Strier, K.B., and Boubli, J.P. Effects of local habitat vriation on the behavioral ecology of two sympatric groups of brown howler monkey (Alouatta clamitans). PLoS One 10(7): e0129789. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0129789
2014 Strier, K.B., Lee, P.C., and Ives, A.R. Behavioral flexibility and the evolution of primate social states. PLoS ONE 9(12): e114099.doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0114099
2014 Tokuda, M., Boubli, J.P., Mourthé, I., Izar, P., Possamai, C.B. and Strier, K.B. Males follow females during fissioning of a group of northern muriquis. American Journal of Primatology 76:529-538 (DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22244).
2013 Iurck, M.F., Nowak, M.G., Costa, L.C.M., Mendes, S.L., Ford, S.M., and Strier, K.B. Feeding and resting postures of wild northern muriquis (Brachyteles hypoxanthus). American Journal of Primatology 75:74-87.


The Brazilian Atlantic forest is shrinking which threatens the northern muriqui monkey. Karen and her team are planting trees in an impressive project to save them. 

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