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2016 Wildlife Photo Contest

Black Howler Monkey, Community Baboon Sanctuary, Belize
Caught Off Guard

Species: Black Howler Monkey | Location: Community Baboon Sanctuary, Belize

This is another photo taken from the Community Baboon Sanctuary during my trip to Belize. I was surrounded by howler monkeys eating cashew fruit. This one baboon was comfortable enough to get very close to me and I snapped this photo of him while he was eating. The expression on his face always makes me laugh. It's as if he was completely caught off guard by my photo.

About The Photographer

Cropped mattcroteauxheadshot

I've been enamored by the natural world since I can remember. A few years ago, I discovered my passion for capturing the beauty of our world through photography. My goal is to convey the beauty, personality, and fragility of wildlife through my photographs and hopefully inspire a new appreciation for the animals we share this planet with.

Check out Matt’s photography website: mattballen.com
Follow Matt on Instagram: @mattballen
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WWF & Natural Habitat Adventures. Discovering Our Planet Together.

Since 2003, Natural Habitat Adventures has partnered with World Wildlife Fund, the world’s leading environmental conservation organization, to offer conservation travel—sustainable travel that supports the protection of nature and wildlife. Nat Hab has provided more than $4 million to WWF and will continue to give 1 percent of gross sales plus $150,000 annually through 2023 in support of WWF’s mission to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth.

Learn more about the Nat Hab/WWF partnership.