The animal and nature park Terra Natura Benidorm proudly presented two golden-headed lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) given to them by the Brazilian Institute for the Environment & natural resources. The complex has become one of only three zoos in Spain to have this small primate considered one of the most endangered mammals on the planet.
The keepers transferred both marmosets from the veterinary clinic in the park to their new installations which are located in the “American Continent” section of Terra Natura. The management started proceedings to bring these primates to the park in 2006. The petition was finally approved by the International Committee for the Conservation and Management of lion tamarinds (ICCM) in 2007 in the absence of approval from the Brazilian authorities.
It has taken five years for the Brazilian Government to comply with this resolution. Generally it is difficult for applications of this type to be approved due to the urgent need to conserve the species and because of their biological importance. Terra Natura has had to prove that the park met all the conditions needed to breed and care for these special animals.
Captive breeding in zoos and the re -introduction of these monkeys into their natural habitat has helped to save the species from becoming extinct.
Currently there are between 6,000 and 15,000 of these primates in the world. In the last 21 years the population is estimated to have fallen by more than 50%. The expansion of crops, cocoa, palm oil, coconuts and grass production for livestock are the main reasons for this decline. Only 2% - 5% of its natural habitat survives today.
The species is native to Brazil and is only found in the coastal region of Bahia, between the River Contas in the north and the River Pardo in the South. It’s name comes from its long black and gold hair which resembles that of an African lion. It usually weighs between 480 and 700 grams and varies in length from 23 – 37 centimeters. Its tail can measure up to 40 centimeters in length.
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