The Brazilian Golden Lion Tamarin is “endangered”

Mar 31, 2024 Interesting Creatures in Guyana, News

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Kaieteur News – Native only to the Atlantic forest of Brazil, the Golden Lion Tamrin still remain an endangered species. These tiny monkeys were once on the brink of extinction when the IUCN (The International Union for Conservation of Nature) listed them as “critically endangered”.

The Golden Lion Tamarin of Brazil

Recent relocation and captive breeding programmes have improved their t ICUN population assessment from “critically endangered’ to “Endangered”.

They however, remain under threat from agriculture-driven deforestation, which continues to fragment their forest home, severing links between populations, according to Grantham Institute- an institute of Imperial College in London that deals with Climate Change and the Environment.

Lion tamarins reportedly take their name from their impressive manes—thick rings of hair reminiscent of Africa’s great cats.

Excerpt from National Geographic on the Golden Lion Tamrins

National-Geographic – The golden lion tamarin forms social family groups. Males help to raise their offspring, and often carry their young on their backs in between feedings. Tamarin young are usually twins.

Golden lions live primarily in the trees. They sleep in hollows at night and forage by day while traveling from branch to branch. Long fingers help them stay aloft and snare insects, fruit, lizards, and birds.

Threats to Survival

These interesting animals are threatened, as are many of the forests in which they live. Brazil’s Atlantic coastal rain forests are disappearing due to ever-expanding logging, agriculture, and industry, and unfortunately, the golden lion tamarin is in danger of vanishing with them.

Source of Information: https://granthaminstitute.com/2016/03/02/on-the-brink-10-south-american-species-endangered-by-environmental-change/

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/golden-lion-tamarin