WHAT: One, two and, yes, three golden lion tamarins were born at Woodland Park Zoo on April 12. However, because it is unusual for a mother golden lion tamarin to raise triplets * she simply doesn’t have enough milk to go around * zoo staff is hand-raising one of the endangered monkeys until the male infant is fully weaned. Average weight at birth is 2 ounces (60 grams).

Media are invited to a feeding session for the hand-raised monkey at the zoo’s Animal Health Complex.

About two weeks ago, zoo staff began re-introducing the hand-raised baby to the rest of the family using a "howdy cage." The cage is placed in the exhibit where the golden lion tamarin group lives. The baby is kept inside the cage for a few hours each day. The cage allows visual access for both the group and the infant, but prevents direct contact and possible injury to the baby. Not long after he is weaned, he should be ready to rejoin his family.

The mother, 3-year-old Goldilox, and the father, 8-year-old Burgundy, are here at the zoo on loan from the Brazilian Department of Environment, IBAMA. This birth marks the second for this pair.

WHEN: Feeding: Thursday, May 27, 10:00 to 10:30 a.m.
"Howdy cage" introductions: Anytime between 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Feeding takes place at the zoo’s Animal Health Complex. Enter through the South Gate parking lot at N. 50^th St. & Fremont Ave N. Drive straight through the road that winds north of the Rose Garden. The complex is the first building on the left.

"Howdy cage" introductions are at the Day Exhibit near the West Gate at N. 55^th St. & Phinney Ave. N.

OTHER: Golden lion tamarins are currently found in protected but fragmented forest habitat northeast of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. There are only about 800 golden lion tamarins in the wild, although their numbers are up dramatically from less than 200 just 20 years ago. Destruction of their rain forest habitat was the primary cause for their near extinction, but they have also been threatened by humans capturing them and selling them as pets. The dramatic recovery of the species was due to a cooperative captive breeding and release program by North American zoos and careful management by conservation and government agencies in Brazil.

A biological reserve was created in Poco das Antas, Brazil in 11974. Since then, more than 140 captive-bred animals have been released into the reserve and surrounding areas.

Out of those successfully introduced into the reserve, 30 have survived to date and have successfully raised 95 offspring. Some offspring are the result of pairings between captive and wild-born animals. Included within those animals that have been reintroduced and have reproduced are two tamarins born and raised at Woodland Park Zoo.