Denver Zoo Welcomes Endangered Newborn Golden Lion Tamarin Twins

The Denver Zoo has issued a press release announcing the birth of two endangered golden lion tamarins on July 25, 2007. The proud, first-time parents are Rosie and Simao (Su-mayo). This is the first birth that the Denver Zoo has had in over six years.

Weighing in at a whopping 100 grams, they are about the size of a kiwi fruit. The Zoo has yet to determine if they are little boys or little girls and no names have been picked out at this time. In the case of golden lion tamarins, mom does not have to take care of the little ones alone. Dad is also an excellent parent and takes turns carrying the two babies. Rose and Simao's infants appear to be very healthy and strong.

Found in the wild in the coastal forests of Brazil, the golden lion tamarin is highly endangered with only about 1,000 of them left. Luckily, there is a wildlife preserve, Reserva Biologica de Poco das Antas, that is a safe home to most of that wild population. It is located close to Rio de Janeiro. Sadly, due to logging and farming, it is estimated that only 2% of their original habitat remains. This horrible desecration of their land has lead to inbreeding.

At one point around 1980, there were actually more golden lion tamarins in captivity than there were in the wild. Thanks to conservation efforts, the species has been reclassified from "critically endangered" to just "endangered." This, obviously, is still not acceptable, but is a step in the right direction. There have been more than 150 golden lion tamarins released from captivity into the wild, but the lack of habitat is still causing problems.

As full-grown adults, they are still very tiny, weighing around 400 to 800 grams (0.88 to 1.76 pounds). As their name indicates, they bear an uncanny resemblance to the lion. With their golden fur, long tails, and little mane, they are handsome little primates. A mother golden lion tamarin is pregnant about 126 to 130 days and generally gives birth to twins. Surprisingly, they only nurse for about 90 days!