Amazon Monkey Thought To Be Extinct Shows Its Face As It's Caught On Camera
A monkey once thought to be extinct has suddenly reappeared on camera, and the sighting is turning heads for all the right reasons. The Vanzolini bald-faced Saki, a rare monkey from South America, had not been seen in more than 80 years, which made the recent footage feel almost unbelievable.
The animal was spotted in a remote stretch near the border of Peru and Brazil, where it appears to have stayed hidden from people for decades. That makes the discovery even more striking, especially since the species has long been considered endangered and difficult to track.
Now the photos and video are giving people a rare look at a monkey many assumed was gone for good.
This is the Vanzolini bald-faced Saki, which is a monkey breed found in South America.
This species of monkey was thought to be extinct, as there had been no sightings of them for 80 years. The Saki monkey primarily inhabits the Amazonian forest, but the bald-faced monkey is the most elusive type.
This also echoes the new cloned monkey species that sparked huge ethical questions.
The shaggy hair and golden legs are what gave it away when confirming that it was a bald-faced Saki.
Laura Marsh, the director of the Global Conservation Institute, is the one who spotted this beauty while on an expedition.
It's a huge discovery, as they were believed to be extinct and haven't been seen in a long time. To see them in person goes to show proof that these elusive creatures are still alive.
Here's what she had to say: “It was fantastic,” she told National Geographic. “I was trembling and so excited I could barely take a picture.”
Here's a video on this amazing monkey.
These monkeys were first discovered in the 1930s but have since been considered endangered. They were written about in a journal by Alfonso Ollala, who described the animal as a "long fluffy tail" and a "golden-furred creature."
Laura Marsh's team has tracked these Sakis to the border of Peru and Brazil, where they seem to be untouched by humans.
However, Laura is still concerned for their livelihood. She believes we aren't doing enough to secure the Saki's future.
Marsh says, “If it just stayed at this level of impact right now, it’s not ideal for the conservation of Vanzolini populations.”
That kind of rediscovery does not happen every day.
I can't imagine how those on the expedition felt as they were seeing this creature with their own eyes. To think that something is considered extinct and not around anymore, then to know that they are alive is incredible.
It just goes to show that we need to be doing more to preserve the future of animals such as these Saki monkeys.
It’s the same kind of comeback as a tiny elephant shrew spotted alive after 50 years.
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