Howler monkeys in Costa Rica are increasingly affected by infestations of bot fly larvae, specifically the species _Cuterebra baeri_, according to a study conducted by the Awá Science and Conservation Association, the University of Costa Rica, and the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC).

The research, undertaken from 2019 to 2020, indicates that tourism and alterations in land use are significant factors exacerbating the health problems faced by these primates in Cahuita and Puerto Vargas national parks.

The larvae of the bot fly burrow under the skin of howler monkeys, resulting in painful nodules that can lead to infections and overall deterioration of health.

Monkeys infected with these larvae often exhibit signs of compromised health.

The study posits that the stress caused by ongoing human activity—including noise and habitat disruption—weakens the immune systems of these animals, rendering them more vulnerable to parasitic infections.

Tourism, a vital economic component for Costa Rica, has been identified as a contributor to this issue.

In areas such as Cahuita, development has led to a reduction in forest canopy, creating warmer and more humid microclimates that favor the reproduction of bot flies.

Tourists, attracted by the nation’s biodiversity, may inadvertently intensify habitat stress through increased noise and encroachment.

Furthermore, uncontrolled tourism can fragment habitats, compelling monkeys to navigate along perilous routes such as power lines, thus heightening their exposure to injury and stress.

Land use changes, including urbanization and deforestation, are further aggravating the situation.

The rapid development in Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean region has resulted in the encroachment of natural habitats.

This diminishes ecosystem health and alters the equilibrium that regulates parasite populations.

Activities like deforestation for hotel construction or agricultural purposes decrease shaded areas and modify microclimates in ways that favor bot fly proliferation.

Efforts aimed at controlling the parasitic threat through insecticides have prompted concerns, as exposure to chemicals such as organophosphates may harm howler monkeys more severely than the larval infestations themselves.

These chemicals can also adversely affect pollinators, birds, and other wildlife, with runoff posing a risk to soil and water quality within the ecosystem.

Despite the recognized threat posed by _Cuterebra baeri_, Costa Rica currently lacks a systematic approach to monitor or manage these infections.

The study advocates for conducting regular health assessments of howler monkey populations and stresses the necessity for further investigation into the ramifications of tourism on these primates.

Suggested interventions include non-chemical methods like reforesting areas and constructing rope bridges to facilitate safer routes for monkeys, similar to those implemented successfully around Playa Hermosa.

The health and sustainability of Costa Rica’s unique biodiversity are reliant on protecting species such as the howler monkey.

Strategies that balance tourism with conservation efforts are essential.

Stakeholders, including visitors, are encouraged to adhere to marked trails, maintain a respectful distance from wildlife, and support environmentally responsible tour operators.

Local authorities are urged to emphasize long-term ecological health over immediate economic interests.

In a related development, Costa Rica has partnered with France in a new initiative to enhance blue carbon conservation.

This collaboration, announced just ahead of the United Nations Oceans Summit in Nice, involves substantial funding from the French Development Agency (AFD) to protect coastal ecosystems, including mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes.

These ecosystems are vital for carbon capture and climate change mitigation.

Costa Rica oversees 52,802 hectares of mangrove forests, with 14,336 hectares recognized as significant carbon reservoirs that help safeguard coastlines from erosion and support local fishing and tourism industries.

The blue carbon initiative will be implemented through community-based projects like mangrove restoration and sustainable livelihoods for coastal residents.

A steering committee involving Costa Rican government bodies and AFD will monitor the initiative with a focus on preserving marine ecosystems.

This partnership highlights Costa Rica’s longstanding commitment to conservation, as the country aims for carbon neutrality by 2050 and has prioritized marine habitats in its climate strategies.