GLT Conservation Program 
Fall 2011
Written by Kenton Kerns and Jennifer Mickelberg
Welcome to Monkey Messages, seasonal updates all about golden lion tamarins (GLTs). We hope to include updates on GLTs in the wild and in the Zoo's Small Mammal House, plus other interesting information about the species.
Golden lion tamarins are small monkeys found in the Atlantic Coast Forest of Brazil, just outside of Rio de Janeiro. They are typically found living in monogamous family groups in the wild, which are exhibited at the Small Mammal House. To learn more about the biology and behavior of GLTs, check out the GLT fact sheet.
Don’t forget to check out the 
GLT web cam every Wednesday at 11 a.m. to see the GLTs get enrichment.
Small Mammal House Update
Have you been seeing big black blurs streak across the GLT web cam? Keepers introduced a pair of saki monkeys into the big exhibit with GLTs Pepe and Izabel earlier this summer. Although the animals were cautious at first, they are all getting along just fine now. The tamarins and sakis mostly keep to themselves, but as time goes on they are spending more time near each other—except when food is involved, and then it’s every monkey for itself! Check out this past issue of Monkey Messages to learn about the benefits of a mixed-species exhibit.
A new pair of black howler monkeys moved into the Small Mammal House recently, and we moved a few GLTs around to accommodate them. Marty has especially enjoyed his move into the “bachelor” exhibit next to the black-footed ferret. Although he’s by himself, he can see his son Diego and niece Gisela and long call to golden-headed lion tamarins, too!
Enrichment for Golden Lion Tamarins
When visiting zoos and aquariums, you may see the animals interacting with all sorts of strange things. Some of these things might look like toys, others like recycled items, and still others may not make any sense. What are they? Enrichment! Enrichment is a broad term used to describe the items and exhibitry that zoo keepers use to keep our animals active and stimulated.
Enrichment comes in all different shapes and sizes. It can be scents, such as perfumes, urines, or spices. It can be novel food, like coconuts, nuts still in their shells, or big pieces of melons. Keepers can give animals their normal diets in puzzling feeders that require manipulation in order to access their treats. Enrichment can be as simple as giving animals a snowball to poke at!
In the big exhibit at the Small Mammal House, we even make it rain for enrichment! This exhibit has a mister system that runs along the top of the enclosure. When the clouds get dark over the skylights, keepers will turn the mister on so that it looks like it’s raining inside, too. Typically the GLTs will run for cover so they don’t get too wet, but they’ll watch as the sloths come out and take a drink from the misters.
GLTs have long fingers that they use for micromanipulation, which is when they forage for insects by exploring cracks and crevices in tree bark or in between leaves. Keepers will give GLTs bromeliads, a type of plant found in the GLTs’ Brazilian habitat, that have lots of delicious insect treats hidden within its flowers. Unfortunately for the bromeliads, they don’t last very long under the prying fingers of GLTs!
Enrichment is not just entertaining for the animals but for their keepers too. You may have the GLTs meeting (and destroying) a snowman, or reaching inside a jack-o-lantern for earthworms. Keepers have a fun time making enrichment too and often theme it to the season. Keepers at the Small Mammal House were feeling the summer heat and decided to let our animals enjoy some summer-themed enrichment. Take a look to see GLT Mara enjoying a fruity drink filled with mealworms! 
Summer enrichment photo gallery.
Long Call From the Wild
Winter is coming to an end in Brazil and warmer weather is on the way. The golden lion tamarins in Brazil enjoy warm temperatures with high humidity! Summer temperatures in this area are usually around 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but fortunately the canopy of the Atlantic Coastal Forests offers some relief to the heat for the golden lion tamarins and other local critters. After foraging for food in the morning, you may find a group taking an afternoon siesta. They lie prone on a branch which seems to help stay cool in the afternoon heat. This is a great time for grooming too, an important activity for golden lion tamarins—how else will they keep their hair looking so nice?
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| Photo by Jim Dietz |
We are also entering the wet season and this is when most of the births occur in the wild. Food is more abundantly available giving the groups, especially the mothers, plenty of opportunities to re-fuel. The field team in Brazil continues to monitor groups of GLTs and note when they observe new additions to family groups.
It is exciting to see the infants and we will continue to work to ensure they have a future in their forest home.
Tamarin Tidbit
This edition’s tidbit is not about golden lion tamarins, but about their home.
Did you know the Atlantic Coastal Forest is one of the most endangered forests in the world? It is a unique place with species that are found no place else on earth. About 80 percent of the Brazilian human population lives in areas where Atlantic Coastal Forest was once found, leaving only seven percent forested. This forest is considered one of the top five Biodiversity Hotspots. The work we do to help protect golden lion tamarins also helps protect the Atlantic Coastal Forest; they can’t survive without it!
