An ecotourism project in the Peruvian Amazon run in partnership with the University of Suffolk’s Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation Science course has won a global award. Dr Mark Bowler, course leader and project leader at the 8 Primates Project, explains what it means
A citizen science project in the Peruvian Amazon run in partnership with the University of Suffolk’s Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation Science course won a prestigious global ecotourism award. The 8 Primates Project launched by Rainforest Expeditions and Suffolk’s Dr Mark Bowler uses bioacoustics, artificial intelligence and community engagement activities to help record and safeguard primate species such as spider monkeys, howler monkeys and capuchins.
The project, which won a Regenerative Travel Impact Award 2025 in the travel experience category last week, has built a large library of primate vocalisation recordings.
In the past year it has expanded beyond its base in the Tambopata National Reserve to train locals in the neighbouring communities in bioacoustics research and conservation.
Tourists at Rainforest Expeditions are active contributors to the conservation programme, which includes collecting primate audio recordings with directional microphones and documenting behaviour, while students from the University of Suffolk have also played an important role in its work.
Various undergraduate students have completed placements at the project, with current second-year students Dan Beckett and Leyla Huo the most recent to visit in the summer.
Their work included taking tourist groups into the rainforest to collect audio samples of primates and other animal species, analysing the recordings, and giving educational talks about the project to visitors.
Leyla Huo said: “The experience that I had at the Tambopata Research Centre was incredible as it is one of the most remote ecolodges in South America, meaning I was able to fully immerse myself in nature and see the different biodiversity up close.
“I also had the opportunity to assist with the research for macaws and discovering new species projects, which allowed me to get a better understanding of how wildlife conservation practices should be managed. These activities really helped to expand my knowledge and get some hands-on experience in the field, making me better prepared for my next placements and future jobs.”
Dan added: “It was a great experience. A lot of skills I was developing in the weeks running up to the placement, such as recognising different primate vocalisations, but visualising these with sonograms, which I’ve used to look at bat calls in the lab at university, was a good way to build on my existing skills.
“I’ve gained a new appreciation for many of the rainforest species, particularly the primates – there’s something special about seeing them in person.”
In addition, an optional module in primatology planned for early 2027 will see 10 students study bioacoustics and primate ecology and conservation at the 8 Primates Project.
Meanwhile, Borislava Gacheva is a Suffolk PhD student whose fieldwork with the project uses the recordings to help build AI algorithms to detect sounds in audio surveys which helps determine which species are present.
Dr Mark Bowler, Course Leader for the Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation Science course at the University of Suffolk and Principal Investigator and Project Leader at the 8 Primates Project, said: “It’s a tremendous privilege to win this award, recognising the important work that the team and volunteers in Peru do each day to play their part in the conservation of primate species in the wild.
“For our Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation Science students who have worked at Rainforest Expeditions, the opportunity to put into practice the skills they have learned in Suffolk in one of the world’s most significant habitats for primate species means they can play an active part in conservation efforts, and we have further exciting plans for the next year to further boost this partnership work.”
You can find out more on the awards website here: Regenerative Travel – Regenerative Travel Impact Awards 2025. Applications are open to join the Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation Science course for September 2026. Head to the course page on the website here to find out more: BSc (Hons) Wildlife, Ecology and Conservation Science | University of Suffolk. To find out more about the 8 Primates Project and Rainforest Expeditions, visit the website here: 8 primates | Rainforest Expeditions.
Featured image of Dr Mark Bowler using the directional microphone in the Amazon (photo credit: Sebastian Fukunaga)
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