Bristol Zoo Gardens’ golden lion tamarin twins turn one

There were double celebrations at Bristol Zoo Gardens over the weekend as golden lion tamarin twins, Rae and Leicester, turned one. 

Born on August 8, 2020, the endangered monkeys, who live alongside their parents and two older siblings, Marta and Manchego, enjoyed some sunshine and a meal of gum Arabic on their birthday.

The exotic delicacy is a firm favourite of the tamarin family who are given the natural gum, consisting of the hardened sap of two species of the acacia tree, hidden inside holes drilled into logs.

The twins, Rae, a female, and Leicester, a male, are part of a successful, captive breeding programme at Bristol Zoological Society.

Image: Golden lion tamarin. Image credit: Miriam Haas.

Sarah Gedman, Team Leader of Mammals at Bristol Zoo Gardens, said: “Golden lion tamarins are such a visually striking monkey and are a golden jewel of the rainforest. I am so proud that Bristol Zoological Society is contributing to the future of this endangered species by playing a vital part in their captive breeding programme.

“Our tamarin family are particularly visible to visitors at the moment as they like to sunbathe in the tree canopy of Tamarin Island -- next to the adventure playground. Their coats turn a deeper hue of golden orange this time of year as they have increased exposure to the sun's rays.”

The birthday duo will remain in their family group until they’re a few years old and it is hoped they will have the opportunity to watch and assist their mum, Missy, and dad, Dourado, to rear future offspring.

“Learning vital parenting skills from their mother and father will be invaluable for when the siblings have families of their own,” added Sarah. 

The golden lion tamarin is a small, squirrel-sized monkey covered in long silky golden fur. Their face, hands and feet remain bare and their feet have sharp claws (most other primates have nails) that are useful for gripping, climbing branches and grabbing insects.

This particular species of tamarin is one of the most endangered mammals in the world, with fewer than 1,000 surviving in the wild -- mostly in a small patch of rainforest known as Reserva Biologica de Poyo das Antas, near Rio de Janeiro. It is believed that over ninety percent of their original forest habitat has been cut down. 

Bristol Zoological Society is one of the many conservation charities working hard to manage the population of golden lion tamarins in human care, to help the survival of this important animal. 

Bristol Zoo Gardens and its sister site Wild Place Project are run by Bristol Zoological Society, which is a conservation and education charity and relies on the generous support of the public not only to fund its important work at both zoos and its conservation projects, but also its education programme.

In March last year the Society launched the BZS Appeal to ensure the future of its work ‘saving wildlife together’ following the temporary closure of both its sites in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

As school groups can now be welcomed back to both zoos, donations from the appeal fund will support the Education Bursary Fund, to ensure schools and youth groups in disadvantaged areas are able to benefit from visiting Bristol Zoo Gardens and Wild Place Project.

To find out more, or to make a donation, visit https://bristolzoo.org.uk/bzsappeal