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The mission of Pró-Muriqui is to conserve the southern muriqui and the Brazilian Atlantic Forest through research and education. Pró-Muriqui draws on the participation of scientists, students, and authorities in primatology and conservation.
It works within the administrative lines of Parque ECB through the Consultive Council, focusing on the interaction between local communities and aspects of public use, tourism, land use and awareness for Atlantic forest conservation. It also works through the Federal Committee for Muriqui Conservation (IBAMA), focusing on the regional and national species conservation action plan. Work has been initially carried out in Parque Estadual Carlos Botelho (Parque ECB), São Miguel Arcanjo, São Paulo, Brazil, but we envisage that the guiding principles detailed below will be expanded into other areas of the Paranapiacaba Ecological Continuum in the southern region of the State of São Paulo. This continuous area of Atlantic Forest represents the last primitive remnant of Atlantic Forest, and therefore a holistic approach is vital for effective conservation of this environment. We also aim to be an independent, transparent, multicultural organisation that influences the perspectives of individuals towards nature. We accomplish our mission through scientific research, education and conservation.
• To carry out inter-disciplinary field-based projects to generate high-quality scientific data, which are integral to conservation management plans and knowledge of the species.
• To respond to priority areas of research quickly, completing discrete short-term projects to complement the information gained through the long-term field projects underway at Parque ECB.
•To run internship training programs in field ecology and primatology. We aim to educate and inspire students, especially those from countries where resources and opportunities are scarce, to help them discover their strengths and pursue careers in related fields. We believe that practical field experience is integral to education and complementary to theoretical knowledge. To date, we have had over 25 national and international students complete the field-internship program (minimum six months), with a number continuing and becoming integral to the project.
• To engage members of the local community and the surrounding areas, in the development and implementation of field-based projects and other actions of Pró-Muriqui. This will promote a sustainable local environment to counteract the threats present to the ecosystem.
• To build local and state environmental education programs. The public must be engaged through active participation if conservation concepts and actions are to be accepted and successful. Conservation
• To enable conservation of the southern muriqui and the associated ecosystem through a synthesis of field-based projects, policy interventions, environmental education and training programs.
• To pursue and build collaborations, partnerships and dialogue with other non-governmental organizations, governments, business, academic institutes and local communities to reinforce Pró-Muriqui’s objectives.
• To establish a broad program of environmental education,
including an interpretive center for schools and tourists and a community outreach
program. The Parque ECB is located in close proximity to more than 25 public
schools (at a local and regional level).
1982 – Systematic muriqui research initiated on the northern muriquis at Estação Biológica de Caratinga (EBC), Minas Gerais, by Dr. Karen B. Strier of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA. EBC is an 800ha fragment of privately owned land. Research is concentrated on the behavioral ecology of the northern muriquis.
1986 – Research initiated at Carlos Botelho State Park (Parque ECB), SP, by Dr. Strier. The need for comparative studies of northern and southern muriqui populations across both fragmented and continuous areas was recognized, with Parque ECB representing a pristine “natural” environment supporting large populations of southern muriquis.
1995 – Field research at Parque ECB taken over by the principal investigator, Mauricio Talebi Gomes, who was the field-coordinator for the southern muriqui project since 1993. This enabled the continuation of the long-term project when Dr. Strier departed. The project currently represents the longest running field-study of southern muriquis to date.
2000 – The non-governmental organization Pró-Muriqui Association was established, to ensure the growth of research activities and the conservation of the species.
2001 onwards – Internship program initiated, increasing logistical and research capacity within Pró-Muriqui.
2005 Mauricio Talebi Gomes completes his PhD at University of Cambridge, UK.
2006 Several agreements with financial boards and private partners underway aiming to enhance Pró-Muriqui NGO and Brazilian Atlantic Forest conservation research activities.
The governance of the Pró-Muriqui Association will soon be upgraded to the legal status of OSCIP (Social Organization of Civil Public Interest). This process will be begun in April, 2006. The new status will allow fund-raising in Brazil through tax-deductible donations from individuals or businesses. In May, 2006, the administrative structure of the NGO will be enhanced by creating a Board of Directors with representatives from different sectors. New members will be invited, aiming to strengthen the development of the Muriqui Flagship Species Program. These will include national and international scientists and representatives of institutions linked to conservation research and outreach. Representatives from the scientific sector, environmental education, and external partner institutions such as the Foundation for Comparative and Conservation Biology will join the board. We will routinely publish our annual report on our website. This report will detail financial and administrative information, enabling public transparency within all our activities.
* Mauricio Talebi Gomes, Project Director. DMV, M.Sc, PhD. (Dept of Biological Anthropology, University of Cambridge, UK). .
* Becky C. Coles, Project Coordinator Biologist, M.Sc., Dept. Biological Anthropology, Univ. Cambridge - UK
Armen Papazian, Financial Consultant, American University of Dubai, Dubai and, Judge Institute of Management Studies, Cambridge, UK; PhD in Finances, University of Cambridge, UK. Executive Board
* .Alexandre Bastos, Field Coordinator, DMV, (Field Laboratory Coordinator)
* Rafael Bueno, Brazilian, Biologist, São Paulo State University, Rio Claro (Field Coordinator)
Adriana Affonso Gomes, GIS and Remote Sensing, Biologist, M.Sc., Affiliated at a consultancy level with University of Santa Barbara, California, USA; full time employee at INPE (Brazilian Institute of Space Research).
Raone Beltrão Mendes, , Biologist (March 2006).
Pedro P. Soares, Field Assistant, 14 years of experience with the trail system and southern muriqui study groups;
* Others Field Assistants, part-time field worker, two weeks per month.
Phyllis C. Lee, Academic Consultant, University of Stirling, Scotland, UK.
Noeli Talebi Gomes, Pedagogy Consultant, São Paulo City Council, São Paulo.
Rogério Carneiro, Accountancy Consultant, Mundial Accountancy, São Paulo, São Paulo State.
National and International Volunteers Field Workers.
Volunteer Field work has several open positions twice a year. Click here for applying for a position.