Endangered
The golden lion tamarins are currently found only in a small area of Brazil northeast of Rio de Janeiro. They only number about 600 in the wild. The tamarinŐs position in the wild is very unstable. The Atlantic coastal rain forest has been almost completely developed for plantations, cattle grazing and housing. Only a few isolated forest tracts remain. Golden lion tamarin have also been captured for sale as pets in nearby cities. This species is also susceptible to many human diseases like measles and various viruses.

Conservation Efforts
Woodland Park Zoo is a contributor to the International Lion Tamarins of Brazil Fund, which pays for golden lion tamarin-related public education, reforestation and land acquisition, and supports monitoring and management of the wild population. The zoo has participated in the golden lion tamarin breeding program since 1978 and the SSP since its founding in 1982. One of the first family groups of captive-bred golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus r. rosalia) to be reintroduced to the wild was from WPZ. The wild population of these tiny primates is now estimated at more than 800, including 200-plus reintroduced animals.

For more info on the golden lion tamarin, click here.
For more info on the zoo's conservation efforts click here.