Humans threaten Costa Rica monkeys by feeding them
Someone told me or I read, how humans discovered chocolate was monkey’s eating the beans. So, the old story that monkeys mimic humans, isn’t it the other way around?
In reality, there is nothing more thrilling to feed a wild animal, and in Costa Rica, monkeys are no exception. However, there is harm when over-feeding monkeys as there is with any wildlife.
Monkeys are highly susceptible to human diseases. They can die just from the bacteria transmitted from your hand.
More and more dead monkeys are found by the results of over feeding
Monkeys migrated to feeding areas which are now human-populated, so the danger increase from dog attacks and road kills.
Irregular feeding leads to aggressive behavior towards humans and other animals. And it also upsets the balance of their lifestyle that centers on eating wild fruits, seeds, small animals and insects. In other words, it creates a dangerous dependency on humans and diminishes their survival abilities, which also increases poaching.
Bananas ARE NOT the preferred food of monkeys contrary to belief. In fact, they cause digestive and dental problems that could lead to a monkey’s death. A pregnant female will not give birth to healthy infant, because the babies will be malnourished and/or die inside the womb, which could cause the mother’s death also.
Monkeys need to be active. They need to travel on the average of 10-12 miles a day to be in good physical condition. If food is available, they will not leave the area and become fat, out of shape, couch potatoes.
Warning, the monkey population is endangered, and now there are eco-laws for feeding monkeys. For example, in Quepos and Manuel Antonio, there are fines for feeding monkeys.
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