This species is found in Suriname and Guyana. It was discovered in 2009 in the Iwokrama International Rainforest Reserve area of central Guyana. An expert in the Meliaceae family, Dr. Forget, observed that some trees typically identified as Carapa guianensis were significantly different than the C. guianensis individuals he was familiar with in French Guiana. In Forget et al. (2009), he published evidence for the occurrence and overlap of the two species and named the second species, Carapa akuri. C. guianensis is very common and widespread, while C. akuri appears to have a limited, locally abundant distribution in central Guyana and west-central Suriname. It is found between 50 m and 2,500 m elevation. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 18,897 km², area of occupancy (AOO) is 36 km² and the number of threat-based locations is six. This species is locally abundant and more widespread than documented in Forget et al. (2009). However, as a timber species that is being harvested with little regulation under the mistaken name of a very common species, there is a clear and dangerous threat to the long term viability of this species. This is especially true in view of the new asphalt road almost completed between Lethem and Georgetown that will provide more access. Research is needed to determine the distribution and density of Carapa akuri in Suriname and other parts of Guyana to inform conservation actions. Due to the small extent of occurrence and area of occupancy and the threat of logging, the conservation status of this species is assessed as Vulnerable.

This species was discovered in 2009 in the Iwokrama International Rainforest Reserve area of central Guyana. An expert in the Meliaceae family, Dr. Forget, observed that some trees typically identified as Carapa guianensis were significantly different from the C. guianensis individuals he was familiar with in French Guiana. In Forget et al. (2009), he published evidence for the occurrence and overlap of the two species and named the second species, Carapa akuri. C. guianensis is very common and widespread, while C. akuri appears to have a limited, locally abundant distribution in central Guyana and west-central Suriname. In Suriname it has been collected at Blanche Marie Waterfall (Bakhuis Mtns, west Suriname). In Guyana, it has been collected at the Mabura Hill Forest Reserve (6–13 trees/ha w/ DBH>10 cm), Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve, Tropenbos Pibiri Reserve, and the Pakaraima Mtns. It is found between 50 m and 2,500 m elevation. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 18,897 km², area of occupancy (AOO) is 36 km² and the number of locations is six.

Forget et al. (2009) mentions that this species showed densities of 6 to 13 trees (DBH>10 cm) per hectare in the Mabura Hill area.

This species is a large canopy tree up to 35 m tall and with a diameter 80(–100) cm. which grows on clay, loam, and brown sands soils. It is found along large streams and in seasonally inundated forests, as well as on upland lateritic hills. Forget et al. (2009) detail that in "the Forest Ecological Reserve Mabura Hill and the Tropenbos Pibiri Reserve, which are both species-rich forests, only C. akuri was observed, occurring in all types of habitats, from banks of permanently wet creeks to uphill forest. In the Iwokrama forest, C. akuri is present in species-rich, non-flooded forest, several hundred meters from the river banks as well as in the periodically flooded monodominant Mora excelsa-rich forests near the Essequibo River. There, C. akuri occurs in habitats occupied elsewhere by C. guianensis, such as swampy areas, permanently wet forests, edges of large rivers, and C. surinamensis (C. procera), such as non-flooded areas like hill slopes in Surinam and French Guiana". Forget et al. (2009) also notes that Fanshawe (1947) "distinguished three crabwood timber types in Guyana: red-or hill-crabwood, white-or swamp-crabwood and black-crabwood without giving any reference to scientific names". Forget et al. (2009) propose hill-crabwood as the common name for C. akuri. The specific epithet is used by the Makushi Amerindians living in the region to name the red-rumped agouti (Dasyprocta leporina, Engstrom et al. 1999), which is likely the main seed disperser of Carapa in Guyana (Forget 1996).

The known geographic range of Carapa akuri includes the protected part of the Iwokrama Forest International Rainforest Reserve and the unprotected, "sustainably managed" part, which is a large logging concession. Within this unprotected area, this species has been harvested heavily on the assumption that it is the same as the widespread C. guianensis. In other areas of the reserve, it enjoys full protection. In nearby areas outside of the Iwokrama reserve, it is likely that gold mining and unregulated logging impact subpopulations of C. akuri, but there are no data due to the few collections.

The straight bole of Carapa akuri produces good lumber that is used locally. The extraction of oil from seeds for medicinal purposes by the Makushi communities of Kurupukari is not as extensive as that for C. guianensis in the more northern Waini River area.

Reports of the occurrence of Carapa guianensis in Guyana must now be considered with caution because of the possibility of misidentification between these two species of Carapa.