Golden Lion Tamarin

Endangered

Leontopithecus rosalia

Size: 8 - 12" long up to 8 pounds

Lifespan: 10 - 30 years

Range/Habitat: Southeast Brazil in lowland and coastal rainforests

The golden lion tamarin lives in family groups ranging from 2 - 8 individuals consisting of a breeding pair and sometimes their offspring and other relatives. They are usually born in pairs and raised by the father and older siblings. Tamarins live on fruit, insects and lizards.

Conservation Concerns:

The golden lion tamarin is threatened due to severe habitat loss to logging, resulting in fragmented and poorly covered habitat. After thirty years of conservation work, reintroduction programs are beginning to reestablish wild populations. Reforestation programs are also working to recreate sustainable habitats for the tamarin where logging had previously ruined the habitat. National Zoo has one of the most active programs in reintroducing golden lion tamarins into the wild. The zoo has a training area where the allow family groups of tamarins to roam freely for practice before being released into the wild