The golden lion tamarin

In the wild, golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia) may live as long as 12 years. They are diurnal and live in family groups that have an average of 6 animals. Their gestation period is 4 months, usually giving birth to twins.

Golden lion tamarins exist only in the lowland Atlantic Forest of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, where habitat destruction has caused this species to become endangered with extinction. Because so few tamarins remain in the wild, it is important to increase and manage these populations to ensure the genetic diversity needed for the survival of the species.

Since 1983, we have conducted scientific monitoring of the entire wild population of tamarins, their habitat and threats. This information allows AMLD to set specific conservation goals, develop targeted actions, evaluate their effectiveness, and adjust the goals and strategies as our knowledge increases. This science-based approach enables AMLD to develop new technologies that not only advance conservation of golden lion tamarins but also contribute more broadly to conservation of biodiversity.

For example, AMLD has successfully reintroduced more than 150 captive born golden lion tamarins. Those animals and their escendents make up 40% of the species population living in the wild today. This success is a result of applying the best available science to guide a partnership of local Brazilian private landowners, government agencies, and the 150 institutions worldwide which contribute to maintaining the captive lion tamarin population.

The Atlantic Rainforest

The Atlantic Forest of South America is one of the 34 Hotspots - the most threatened and richest areas in biodiversity on the planet. That ecosystem originally extended through 17 Brazilian states covering 15% of the national territory. Deforestation for agricultural and urban expansion has reduced the Atlantic Forest to 7% of its original area endangering nearly all endemic species with extinction. Even so, the remaining Atlantic Forest has enormous social, economic and environmental importance. In addition to sustaining a globally important level of biodiversity, the Atlantic Forest system provides environmental services such as an adequate supply of fresh water and erosion control which support the economy and quality of life of 70% of the Brazilian population - more than 120 million people!

Originally distributed along the entire coastal lowland portion of Atlantic Forest of the State of Rio de Janeiro, today the golden lion tamarin exists only in the remaining forests of eight municipalities: Silva Jardim, Casimiro de Abreu, Rio das Ostras, Cabo Frio, Armação de Búzios, Saquarema, Rio Bonito and Araruama. To ensure the protection of the forest remnants where the last gold lion tamarins can be found, IBAMA has created the Poço das Antas and União Biological Reserves and the São João
River Basin/Golden Lion Tamarin Environmental Protection Area.

More information from AMLD

Link to the Associação Mico-Leão-Dourado (Golden Lion Tamarin Association) - AMLD, a Brazilian private non-profit institution that has as its mission the conservation of the Atlantic Forest biodiversity focusing on the long-term protection of the golden lion tamarin in its natural habitat.

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