The black-faced black spider monkey (Ateles chamek) is the symbol of Madidi National Park and is as such featured in our #IDMadidi logo and on our Facebook page. Alto Madidi is an amazing place to see this most fabulous of Bolivian primates and the team is treated to multiple encounters including today when a mother is photographed with her infant and a second expectant mother. Spider monkey females are some of nature’s super mums giving birth just once every three to four years. Youngsters receive intensive maternal care for three years and stay with their mother until around five years old. This low reproductive rate makes spider monkey populations especially vulnerable to hunting and Madidi and other protected areas are hugely important for their long-term survival.