SEATTLE - Twin golden lion tamarin monkeys, a male and female, were born June 4 at Woodland Park Zoo. Initially, the mother showed appropriate maternal care. By the following day, concern that the mother was becoming less attentive to both infants prompted staff to transfer the monkeys to the zoo’s Animal Health Complex. They are receiving round-the-clock expert care in a fully equipped nursery. The twins are off public view and represent the first successful offspring between the 4-year-old mother and
6-year-old father.

After retrieving both infants to assess their well being, zoo Animal Health staff immobilized the mother to assess her milk supply. Despite an adequate supply, she is also a first-time mom, explained zoo General Curator Dr. Nancy Hawkes. “Although she initially displayed good maternal care,” added Hawkes, “we were beginning to see signs that the care was inconsistent. Just a few hours of neglect can make a critical difference in the development of these small monkeys. The best chance to ensure their health and well being is for us to intervene and assume care, at least for the time-being.” Animal Health staff is bottle-feeding the twins and the parents have been moved to an adjoining enclosure in the hospital. “Providing the parents visual access to their young will increase our chances of successfully reuniting the family in the near future.”

Golden lion tamarins are severely endangered with roughly 1,000 remaining in the wild. Dramatic habitat loss and the pet trade have made the tamarin’s population unstable. Woodland Park Zoo participates in the Golden Lion Tamarin Monkey Species Survival Plan (SSP), a cooperative breeding program to help ensure genetic diversity and demographic stability in North American zoos. The zoo participates in 35 SSPs, which are administered by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA).

Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, top award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting a standard for zoos all over the world. With conservation, education and excellent animal care at the core of the zoo’s mission, the zoo is helping to save endangered species in Washington state and around the world including tree kangaroos, snow leopards, red-crowned cranes, African wild dogs, western pond turtles and Oregon silverspot butterflies. By inspiring visitors and others to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future.