Media release
12 September 2013

Critically Endangered Golden Lion Tamarins new to Wellington Zoo

Two critically endangered Golden Lion Tamarins are now on display at Wellington Zoo, after arriving from the United States last month.

The female, Clementine, came from Santa Ana Zoo in California; the male, Orolito, from Cleveland Zoo in Ohio. The two primates have completed their 30 day quarantine and are settling into their new home at Wellington Zoo’s Mini Monkeys exhibit.

“These beautiful and charismatic Golden Lion Tamarins are still getting used to their new environment, so we’re expecting them to be a bit cautious and stay up high in their house for the next few days,” said Paul Horton, Life Sciences Manager.

“We last had Golden Lion Tamarins in 2007, and this new pairing will contribute to the International Conservation Breeding programme for these little monkeys.”

Last year Wellington Zoo Learning Manager Lynn Allan spent two weeks with the Golden Lion Tamarin Association in Brazil, proudly supported by the Wellington Zoo Conservation Fund.

“I monitored wild Golden Lion Tamarins (GLTs) and assisted with the development of learning resources. GLTs almost went extinct in the wild, but through the conservation breeding efforts of zoos working hand in hand with scientific research from around the world, their numbers are rising,” said Ms Allan.

“It’s awesome that Wellington Zoo is a part of that effort and our community has the opportunity to connect with these beautiful monkeys when they visit the Zoo!”

Wellington Zoo visitors will have a special opportunity to connect with the Golden Lion Tamarins at The Conservation Week celebration, ‘Do at the Zoo’, this Sunday 15 September. There will be a Tamarin Conservation Talk at 11.30am outside the Mini Monkeys exhibit, followed by a Golden Lion Tamarin Short Film in the Wild Theatre.

By attending ‘Do at the Zoo’ visitors are also personally contributing to Golden Lion Tamarin conservation – entry on Sunday is just $2 for children 14 and under, and these proceeds will go directly to the Wellington Zoo Conservation Fund, which supports the Golden Lion Tamarin Association.

ENDS

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