Yellow-breasted Capuchin

Did you know?
that the name "capuchin" comes from the appearance of a black skullcap? Capuce is a French word for a skullcap. The Capuchin Monkey's hair is very similar to the cowl or capuche worn by Franciscan monks.

Photo Copyright by
Edinburgh Zoo

Why do zoos keep this animal

The yellow-breasted capuchins are now only found in a very restricted area of the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil, one of the richest and most rapidly disappearing ecosystems in the world. Their population is declining drastically not only because of forest destruction, but also because of hunting. Only 2% of their original tropical rainforest habitat remains and they are one of the top 25 most endangered primates in the world.

Zoos therefore keep yellow-breasted capuchins primarily for conservation breeding with a view of establishing a long-term viable ex situ population. Zoos participating in the programme also help to fund research, which aims to understand the ecology and behaviour of yellow-breasted capuchins in the wild through radio-telemetry, gathering information necessary for this species's conservation.

Other ongoing projects, to try and prevent its extinction, include working together with the Brazilian Government and farmers to increase the number of protected areas for the species; helping to organise an ex situ breeding programme able to produce animals which could one day be released into protected forests in the wild; and producing educational material for the local population.

How this animal should be kept

Capuchins are social animals and should be kept in family groups, or larger groups up to 25 animals. In spacious exhibits with natural vegetation they can be associated with e.g. spider monkeys, coatis or tapirs, but not with marmosets and tamarins.

In temperate and cold climates, capuchins must have both an indoor and an outdoor enclosure. Minimum requirements: indoors surface 20 m² for up to 5 animals and 10% more for each additional animal, height 3 m, room temperature at least 20°C, in places higher (radiators). In artificially lightened indoor enclosures the day phase should be 12 h. The indoor enclosure should be connected by at least two doors to an outdoor enclosure, which must must have at least the same size. Preferably, however, the outdoor enclosure should be much larger, with natural vegetation, and could be confined by water moats or electrified fences. The enclosures must have ample climbing and swaying opportunities, such as live or dead trees, branches, ropes, nets, hammocks, and boards at different levels

Food should be offered at several places and at least three times per day. It should consist of a variety of fruit and vegetables, seeds and nuts as well as some animal protein.