The subspecies is listed as endangered because it suffered a 50% decrease in population over the past 45 years due to deforestation and hunting.

[2] Initially thought to be a subspecies of the common woolly monkey (L. lagothricha), it was later reclassified as its own species.

The population of gray woolly monkeys in Bolivia have been reported to be found as low as 700 metres above sea level.

[7] They move through the trees using their large prehensile tails, which is a common trait seen in the family Atelidae.

One story from the western Amazon reported several hunters who killed over 200 woolly monkeys in less than two years, which led to their local extinction.

Mining for cassiterite, a mineral used to make tin, is also a threat for both losing habitat and hunting.

[2] They are also listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade of Endagenered Species (CITES).