National Parks/ Sanctuaries
-
Common Names
golden lion tamarin
Regions
Brazil
Population
Approximately 3,000 individuals in the wild.
Habitat
Tropical rainforests with dense canopies and high biodiversity.
Weight(in lbs) and Life Span
1.5, and 15
Regions
Brazil
The Golden Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia) is a striking small primate native to Brazil’s Atlantic coastal forests. Distinguished by its vibrant golden-red fur and lion-like mane, it measures ~19–22 cm in body length with a balancing tail of ~26–40 cm, weighing around 550–700 g. Social in nature, families forage diurnally in dense lowland forests. After plummeting to fewer than 200 wild individuals in the 1970s–80s, intensive conservation—including habitat restoration, reintroduction of captive-bred tamarins, and protected reserves—helped the population recover to 3,700–4,800 by 2023, with around 1,400 mature individuals journals.plos.org. Nonetheless, threats from ongoing habitat loss, fragmentation, and climate impacts remain. Lifespan ranges from 10–20 years, depending on wild or captive conditions. This species is both a symbol of conservation success and a continued testament to ecosystem fragility.
Activity Instructions
- Draw the Animal: Use the next page to draw a picture of the animal. Use your imagination and make it colorful!
- Write an Essay: Write a short essay about the conservation efforts to save this animal. Here are some questions to guide you:
- Why is this species important in its ecosystem?
- What are the threats it faces, and how can we help?
- What do you find most interesting about this species?
