Golden Lion Tamarin

Facts

IUCN ENDANGERED (EN)

Facts about this animal

The golden lion tamarin is between 20-36 cm long with a tail length of between 31-40 cm and average weight around 620 g. Males and females are similarly sized. The Golden lion tamarin is so-called because of the beautiful mane of silky golden hair that frames its face. Their bodies are covered in long, soft silky hair with coloration ranging from pale golden to a rich reddish-gold. Golden lion tamarins are a social species, they are found in groups of 2-8, often made up of family members but there is only one breeding pair per group. About 78% of all births in wild Golden lion tamarins are twins and the energetic demand of caring for two infants has shaped the social structure and cooperative breeding patterns prevalent in this primate species. The golden lion tamarin is one of the most endangered primates. The habitat of the golden lion tamarin has been drastically reduced and fragmented into isolated patches through logging and clearance for cultivation and development. Fortunately, a captive breeding programme aims to maintain a zoo population of around 500 individuals, and captive-bred individuals have been reintroduced to the wild. A conservation education programme in Brazil has raised the profile of this species, and the Golden lion tamarin is now widely regarded with pride as a national symbol of conservation

Did you know?
that only 2 -3 % of the golden lion tamarin's original South Atlantic Rainforest habitat is still in existence and that, in 2001-2002, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) ran an "Atlantic Rainforest Campaign" using the golden lion tamarin as the flagship species?

Factsheet
Class	MAMMALIA
Order	PRIMATES
Suborder	SIMIAE
Family	CALLITHRICHIDAE
Name (Scientific)	Leontopithecus rosalia
Name (English)	Golden Lion Tamarin
Name (French)	Singe-lion; Tamarin soyeux
Name (German)	Goldgelbes Löwenäffchen
Name (Spanish)	Tití León Dorado
Local names	Brazil: Mico-leão-dourado
CITES Status	Appendix I
CMS Status	Not listed

Photo Copyright by
Mistvan

Distribution

Distribution
Range	Brazil
Habitat	Tropical forests in the coastal lowlands
Wild population	More than 1,000 (Red List IUCN 2011)
Zoo population	469 reported to ISIS (2007)

In the Zoo

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 31 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

Find this animal on ZooLex

Photo Copyright by
Steve

Why do zoos keep this animal

The golden lion tamarin is an endangered species in the wild. With a view of building up a viable reserve population, an International Studbook has been established in 1970 under the WAZA umbrella, and coordinated conservation breeding programmes are operated at the regional level by ARAZPA, AZA, EAZA ansd JAZA.

Because of its beautiful golden fur the golden lion tamarin is an ideal ambassador species for its threatened rainforest habitat and has been used as the flagship species for the Atlantic Rainforest Campaign of EAZA. Many zoos keeping the species engage also in in situ projects.

How this animal should be kept

Lion tamarins are social animals that usually live in pairs or family groups and should be kept accordingly.

In temperate and cold climates, tamarins must have an indoor enclosure available. Minimum requirements: surface 10 m² per family group, height 2.5 m, room temperature at least 15°C, in places higher (radiators). In the case of artificially lightened enclosures, the day phase should be around 12 hours. Ample vertical and horizontal branches are required for running, climbing and jumping, and horizontal benches or platforms allowing the group to sit together in close contact, and sleeping boxes should be provided in the upper part of the enclosure. Visual contact between groups kept in adjoining enclosures should be prevented.

Ideally, but not mandatory, they have also access to an outdoor enclosure if weather conditions permit. Preference should be given to larger exhibits with a grass cover, bushes and live trees in addition to dead trees, ropes, climbing frames etc. In such enclosures, the lion tamarins could be associated with marmosets or various other tamarin species. Mixed exhibits may include also other compatible species, such as sloths, tamanduas, agoutis, iguanas and birds.

Food should be offered several times per day, It should consist of a variety of fruit and vegetables, and should be rich in animal proteins, minerals and vitamins. To keep the animals busy, honey, live insects, gummi arabicum or similar should be offered. In the case of animals kept exclusively indoors, or during the winter period, vitamin D3 should be supplemented.