The Success Story of the Golden Lion Tamarin:
Among the world's most famous wildlife return stories is Brazil's golden lion tamarin, which numbered in the jungle at less than 200 in the 1960s. Thanks to the international efforts of a large team of committed partners since the 1970s—including extensive genetic and reproductive research, conservation breeding programs, re-introduction, and displacement—this small Atlantic jungle monkey has exceeded 3,700 in recent years.
A New Threat: Yellow Fever and COVID-19:
As the fourth annual Golden Lion Tamarin Day approaches on August 2, these ongoing efforts are under threat due to a double wave of diseases—one deadly for small monkeys and another hindering immediate immunization efforts. The wave of yellow fever that started in humans in 2016 began killing endangered tamarins in May 2018, reducing their population by 32 percent to 2,500, according to a study published in the journal Scientific Reports.
Challenges in Vaccination Efforts:
Although conservationists were finally approved to proceed with safe vaccines for the monkeys after a long and bureaucratic political process, COVID-19 has now made such fieldwork less safe for the people.
The Urgent Need for Vaccination:
“We've always included an unexpected disaster response in our strategic plan, but the mortality rate of yellow fever was worse than we thought,” said James Dietz, vice president of Save the Golden Lion Tamarin. “There was a sucker punch. The need to act now is to protect the species from the further spread of yellow fever by inoculating as many tamarins as possible.”
The Difficulty of Finding and Vaccinating Tamarin:
Save the Golden Lion Tamarin and Brazil's non-profit Golden Lion Tamarin Association (Associação Mico-Leão-Dourado) hope that as soon as field teams can safely resume work amidst the global pandemic, they will start vaccinating the monkeys. However, doing so presents unique challenges. Arboreal monkeys are difficult to locate—they are small, weighing only 500 grams, and each small family lives in a forest block the size of nine city blocks. Field teams must find them, vaccinate them, and then implement a strategic plan to relocate some populations that have been most affected.
Past Threats to the Golden Lion Tamarin:
Historical threats to these golden-orange monkeys with lion-like manes included deforestation, habitat fragmentation that prevented breeding, and capturing monkeys for the pet trade.
Conservation Success Through Breeding Programs:
In 1983, 43 zoo and breeding facilities took steps to help save tamarins by establishing a comprehensive breeding program. This resulted in the birth of 146 tamarins in zoos between 1984 and 2000, which were then reintroduced to their native habitat in Brazil. More than fifty percent of the wild golden lion tamarin population today comes from these reintroduced individuals.
The Impact of Yellow Fever on Conservation Efforts:
“Although yellow fever has caused such surprising damage, the fact remains that without decades of successful conservation work, the Golden Lion Tamarin might have disappeared or been pushed to the edge,” said Russ Mittermeier, head of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. Continuous efforts are needed to protect endangered species like the tamarin.
Ongoing Habitat Loss:
Deforestation and habitat fragmentation remain the biggest threats to the monkeys, and yellow fever has made the situation worse. Habitat loss is mainly due to cattle ranching and infrastructure expansion, including pipelines for oil and gas, electricity, railways, and roads. Some of the most fragile populations have suffered the most from disease, making it even harder for them to find mates for breeding. The well-studied research population in Poço das Antas Federal Biological Reserve has dropped from 380 individuals to just 32.
Connecting Forests: A Wildlife Bridge,
To reconnect fragmented habitats, the Golden Lion Tamarin Association recently worked to build a forest overpass on the Interstate Toll Road BR-101. Without the bridge, widening the highway would have created an impenetrable barrier to wildlife moving in and out of the Poço das Antas Federal Biological Reserve. The association collaborated with environmental agencies to make the wildlife bridge a requirement for issuing environmental permits for highway expansion. Following legal action, the toll road concessionaire was forced to build the structure. This is the first wildlife bridge of its kind in Brazil, and conservationists see it as a model for incorporating wildlife protection into highway construction.
Future Conservation Plans:
In addition to vaccination, the Golden Lion Tamarin Association and its partners aim to assess mortality rates since the 2019 survey, relocate monkeys from the most affected areas, monitor future yellow fever outbreaks, and study whether tamarins are developing any immunity to the disease. They will also continue reconnecting fragmented habitats and working with local landowners to establish forest corridors for the permanent protection of remaining forests.
Engaging Tourists in Conservation Efforts:
Once travel resumes safely, conservationists hope to reconnect tourists with the animals and their preservation efforts. “Golden lion tamarins are not only cute but also incredibly charismatic,” said Luis Paulo Ferrez, executive director of the Golden Lion Tamarin Association. “People love them, and seeing them is an unforgettable experience. A large part of our strategy will continue to be introducing these famous animals to locals and tourists—if they love them, it will help us save the species and their habitat.”
Support for the Yellow Fever Vaccination Program:
Partial support for the Yellow Fever Vaccination Program was provided by the Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation.
Expert Opinions on Conservation Efforts:
Anthony Rylands, Senior Conservation Director of Global Wildlife Conservation
“For half a century, the fight to save these remarkable monkeys has been at the forefront of efforts to preserve the last remnants of Brazil’s Atlantic forests. The innovative and critical conservation measures taken here set an example for saving species in tropical forests worldwide.”
Lena Vancia, Colombia Conservation Officer of Global Wildlife Conservation
“Lion tamarins belong to a unique group of small primates that not only produce twins but also rely on a cooperative care system where males play a crucial caregiving role. These beautiful primates have a strong bond with humans and hold cultural significance in many communities. However, tamarins and marmosets are at risk of extinction due to ongoing habitat destruction and fragmentation, as well as the pet trade. The Golden Lion Tamarin is the best example—and a source of hope for many tamarin species—showing how we can protect this charismatic group in human-dominated landscapes where both primates and people can thrive.”
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