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Golden Lion Tamarin Conservation Program
GLT cam
Golden Lion Tamarins—Ranging Free
A Family in the Treetops
Thirty
years ago, fewer than 200 golden lion tamarins (GLTs) could be found in their native habitat of Brazil's Atlantic coastal rainforest. The survival of this species was at risk from deforestation for farming and cattle ranching, as well as the pet trade.
The National Zoo, in collaboration with other organizations, scientists from all over the world, and the government and people of Brazil, has been working since the 1970s to save these animals. Through the work of the Golden Lion Tamarin Conservation Program, habitat was protected, GLTs were bred in zoos and released to Brazil, wild GLTs were relocated to safe areas, and local people were taught about these national treasures.
Thanks to these efforts, there are now more than 1,500 golden lion tamarins living in the wild on protected land. More than a third of these animals were reintroduced by the breeding program in which the Zoo participates. The conservation effort reached a major milestone in 2003 when GLTs were down listed from critically endangered to endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Scientists are still tracking and monitoring the wild population to ensure the tamarins' continued survival. Other efforts include tree planting to enlarge the habitat and connect fragments of forests where GLTs are found.
Celebrate the Zoo's key role in GLT conservation by adopting a golden lion tamarin. Your donation will help fund exhibit improvement, equipment, and medical care for the Zoo’s GLTs and the 2,000 other animals that live at the Zoo and its Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, Virginia.
Habitat Is Key
One of four species of lion tamarins, GLTs are native
to the heavily populated coastal region known as Mata
Atlantica, a narrow strip of rainforest along the northeast
coast of Brazil. Because this region is isolated from
the Amazon by mountains, many of its plants and animals
are unique. However, agricultural development, grazing,
and logging have reduced its forest to less than two
percent of its original area.
These small monkeys—adults weigh just over one pound—are endangered not only by loss of habitat but also because their habitat has been fragmented by roads, dams, towns, and large farms into small, unconnected areas each capable of supporting only a small number of tamarin groups. Without intervention, inbreeding would soon result in the local extinction of many of these small populations of tamarins, and eventually of the entire species.
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| The GLT's comeback has generated considerable interest and pride in its native Brazil. |
Cool GLT Facts
- GLTs are small orange monkey in the family Callithrichidae, which includes marmosets and other tamarins.
- They are omnivorous, eat a diet of fruit, insects, and small animals. The favorite foods of the Zoo's GLTs include bananas, grapes, and mealworms.
- Young are almost always born as twins and the father does a majority of the caretaking.
- They are diurnal, which means they are awake during the day and sleep at night (in tree holes).
- Their predators in the wild include hawks, eagles, cats, and large snakes.
National Zoo’s Role in
GLT Survival
For more than 30 years, National Zoo scientists have
worked with Brazilian and other scientists from around
the world to improve the GLT's chances for survival.
Always a popular animal at zoos, the GLT rarely reproduced
in zoos until the late 1970s. Research at the National
Zoo led to important discoveries about housing, diet,
and social needs to ensure successful breeding. As a
result, the National Zoo became an important breeding
center for these primates. Animals born at the Zoo continue
to be sent to zoos throughout the world to establish
other breeding centers for this endangered species.
From 1984 through 2001 the Zoo participated in a program to reintroduce zoo-born GLTs back into the forests of Brazil. By 2002 the reintroduced GLT population had reached 424 animals, a number that includes offspring of zoo-born transplants into the wild. Reintroductions had been carried out on 22 privately owned ranches surrounding the Reserva Biologica de Poço das Antas. Survival of wild-born offspring remains at about 70 percent (in comparison with only 30 percent for zoo-born reintroductions), largely because they are more quickly self-sufficient than zoo-born reintroductees).
No GLTs have been reintroduced into the wild since 2001 because all of the possible forested release sites have been filled up within a reasonable distance from the GLT field station staffed by scientists who monitor, feed, and assist reintroduced animals. More important, the current population in the wild is rapidly expanding on its own without the need for additional animals.
The National Zoo continues to be involved in GLT conservation and could participate once again in reintroducing GLTs into the wild to enhance genetic diversity should new areas become available. A key next step in GLT survival will be to establish forestry corridors between Reserva Biologica de Poço das Antas and Fazenda do Rio Vemelho to enable GLT movement across the region—an initiative that will help bring together the two largest wild subpopulations of GLTs.
GLTs at the National Zoo
The National Zoo currently has more than a dozen GLTs
in its collection. These small primates can be seen in several exhibits at
the Small
Mammal House.
Adopt a GLT and Help Its Conservation
While much needs to be done to give GLTs a secure future,
efforts by the Zoo and many partners are helping to
protect their habitat and increase their numbers in
the wild. The Brazilian government is committed to its
survival and is so proud of this native primate that
it depicted the GLT on a banknote. You can help, too.
Adopt this special species and show your support for the Zoo’s important GLT conservation efforts. Help us to continue providing world-class care for this beautiful monkey and for the other 2,000 animals residing at the National Zoo.
Because your contribution is dedicated directly to animal care, you truly make a difference!
Photos by Jessie Cohen/NZP
