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Leontopithecus rosalia Region: Atlantic coastal rain forest of Brazil, in South America |
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 Species Survival PlansTM are multizoo breeding programs for endangered species. Conservation Status: Endangered  |
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A conservation success story Primate appeal Golden lion tamarins (zoo folks call them “GLTs” for short!) are small monkeys about the size of squirrels. They have thick reddish-orange or orange-gold fur that’s longest on their head. A mane gives them a lion-like appearance (and their name). Males and females look alike. GLTs have a long tail that they use for balance when climbing through the trees. They also have very long fingers for grabbing branches, holding fruit, and reaching into crevices to catch insects. Situation critical In the wild, golden lion tamarins are found only in the state of Rio de Janeiro, one of the most densely inhabited parts of Brazil. They have always been a rare species, but experts say that now only 2% of their original habitat remains. They are nearing extinction because their coastal forest homes have been cut down for lumber and to make room for an expanding human population. What’s left of their habitat is in very small fragments, which means family groups and populations are split from each other by roads, buildings, or farms. Some of the “islands” of forest are too small to support a population of tamarins over time. As if that isn’t bad enough, another problem comes from animal traders, who take advantage of the tamarins’ appeal and capture the monkeys to sell in the illegal pet market. The first steps away from extinction Research was instrumental in helping save GLTs from extinction. Studies in zoos showed that tamarins ate a wide variety of foods, and that they needed a lot of protein. Zoo scientists also learned that GLT family groups needed to be built around a mated pair of adults, for social stability and to breed successfully. These and other discoveries led to a huge improvement in tamarin reproduction and survival in zoos, and set the stage for an historic attempt to save them in the wild. Going back to Brazil Since the 1980s GLTs have been part of a ground-breaking conservation program, which allowed some zoo-born tamarins to be reintroduced back into their rainforest home in Brazil. Here’s how it works: For several years, different family groups of healthy zoo tamarins went through a "boot camp" to prepare them for life in the wild. Brookfield Zoo, and several other participating zoos, released these groups of GLTs into a wooded area on zoo grounds, provide the tamarins with a nest box and daily feedings from keepers. The GLTs could move freely through the trees, experiencing what it was like to live on their own. They learned how to catch elusive insects, climb hazardous branches, and even escape predators, such as hawks and raccoons. It was all part of the learning process. Radio collars helped keep track of the tamarins, and volunteers went out every day to write down information about what the tamarins were doing. Graduation for GLTs Some of the tamarins with the "right stuff" – those that passed the summer boot camp – graduated to the real thing, the rain forests of the coast of Brazil. A GLT family group spends its first few days in Brazil in a large outdoor enclosure getting used to the sights, sounds, and smells of a real rain forest. Then they are released to live on their own. Scientists studying the released tamarins found that those who’ve gone through boot camp at zoos do better in the forest than those who have not. More than 140 tamarins have been reintroduced in to the Brazilian forest since 1984. These released tamarins, plus their offspring, now total more than 300! Local landowners have been very important to the effort, setting up "protected areas" where the tamarins can live safely. We are family GLTs are social animals, living in family groups of up to fifteen members. A group is led by an adult male and female (the only tamarins in the group that breed) and the pair's offspring (from newborns to adults). The whole group works together to raise young, find food, and avoid predators. Getting the message across Social animals need to communicate with each other. GLTs have different ways to get their message across to other group members. Vocalizations are one way, including long calls to warn that predators (snakes, birds of prey, and cats) are in the area. GLTs cluck when foraging for food, whine when they’ve lost contact with each other ("where are you?"), and trill when they are alone. Facial expressions, body posture, and scent marking are also ways that GLTs communicate. Scientists did not understand the social life and communication of GLTs for years. In fact, GLTs were sometimes kept singly or in pairs in zoos before research revealed just how important their social groupings are. Just the facts Body length: 13 to 15 inches Tail length: 10 to 15 inches Weight: 1.5 pounds Distribution: Small patches of Atlantic coastal rain forest of Brazil, in South America Habitat: Small territories centered around trees, often with hollows that GLTs nest in and return to every day Wild diet: Insects, fruit, spiders, snails, small lizards, birds’ eggs, small birds Brookfield Zoo diet: Marmoset diet (a specially formulated food for small monkeys), fruit, insects, peanuts, eggs Golden lion tamarins at Brookfield Zoo You cannot currently see the golden lion tamarins, who are on vacation behind-the-scenes in Tropic World: South America. Brookfield Zoo is part of the golden lion tamarin Species Survival Plan (SSP). SSPs are programs between zoos that support conservation and education efforts on behalf of endangered species. Links |