WILD LATIN AMERICA – SQUIRREL MONKEY ISLAND
South America – a continent of contrast, from the lush, tropical canopies of the Amazon Rainforest, to the harsh, arid slopes of the Andes. We travel to some of the most unspoilt habitats left on Earth to experience the trials and tribulations for three very different species growing up, mating and surviving Wild Latin America.
On a small island deep in the heart of the Colombian rainforest lives a group of squirrel monkeys. Squirrel monkeys are one of the smallest species of new world monkeys and one of the cleverest monkeys in the world. At the head of this island troop is dominant female Alba and her male counterpart Samuel. It’s mating season –the most important time of year on Squirrel Monkey Island. We watch the highs and lows of island life for these plucky little primates. The males have been bulking up for months ready to compete and impress the females. Tensions are high and the atmosphere in the troop is charged. The new alpha male Samuel should have priority in mating rights with the females and has set his sights on Alba. But his predecessor Juan, is watching from the wings. He’s still got game and is biding his time - ready to vie for the attention of the top female. But as alpha female, Alba will ultimately get to decide who she’ll mate with and when during these few short weeks. Last years babies are becoming more independent, learning to play and working out the troop hierarchy. They should be ready to be weaned but some, like baby Carlos are resisting this independent step. Baby Shakira has the opposite problem. She’s the alpha female’s daughter and more willful than the other monkeys her age in the troop. But the flipside of her independent spirit - she easily gets separated from the troop and is lost, alone in the jungle. As tensions rise can Alba take her troop safely through the breeding season? Will former alpha Juan get his chance to undermine the new leader and mate with Alba? Will Shakira find her troop before one of the rainforests deadly predators finds her?
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On a small island deep in the heart of the Colombian rainforest lives a group of squirrel monkeys. Squirrel monkeys are one of the smallest species of new world monkeys and one of the cleverest monkeys in the world. At the head of this island troop is dominant female Alba and her male counterpart Samuel. It’s mating season –the most important time of year on Squirrel Monkey Island. We watch the highs and lows of island life for these plucky little primates. The males have been bulking up for months ready to compete and impress the females. Tensions are high and the atmosphere in the troop is charged. The new alpha male Samuel should have priority in mating rights with the females and has set his sights on Alba. But his predecessor Juan, is watching from the wings. He’s still got game and is biding his time – ready to vie for the attention of the top female. But as alpha female, Alba will ultimately get to decide who she’ll mate with and when during these few short weeks. Last years babies are becoming more independent, learning to play and working out the troop hierarchy. They should be ready to be weaned but some, like baby Carlos are resisting this independent step. Baby Shakira has the opposite problem. She’s the alpha female’s daughter and more willful than the other monkeys her age in the troop. But the flipside of her independent spirit – she easily gets separated from the troop and is lost, alone in the jungle. As tensions rise can Alba take her troop safely through the breeding season? Will former alpha Juan get his chance to undermine the new leader and mate with Alba? Will Shakira find her troop before one of the rainforests deadly predators finds her?
Episodes Wild Latin America
Humpback, Birth of a Giant
Realm of the Spectacled Bear
Squirrel Monkey Island
Wildlife / Series / 4K
Length 48’ 4K (3×48′)
Co-Production Blink Films with The Element in association with Smithsonian Networks for Love Nature with the support of the Incentives for the Irish Film Industry