NEW Zoo of Brown County, WI

Twins! Cotton-top Tamarin

Congratulations are in order for the NEW Zoo resident pair of Cotton-top Tamarins. The tiny monkeys are the proud parents of twins! Carmen Murach, Curator of Animals at the NEW Zoo has announced that, “Like most NEW Zoo babies, these youngsters are very important additions to a critically endangered species. Fewer than 300 Cotton-top Tamarins make up the captive population and the South American primates are literally loosing ground in the wild due to habitat destruction.” Murach elaborated on the fact that AZA Accredited Zoos throughout North America work together to save species like Cotton-top Tamarins through carefully managed plans (called Species Survival Plans or SSPs) which optimize genetic diversity and ensure a healthy captive population which, in turn, could help save endangered species from extinction in the wild.

Raising babies is a family affair for tamarins. Both Mom and Dad take turns carrying their young on their back. Long before they have babies of their own, it is important for tamarins to gain experience by helping to take care of younger siblings. Bonnie and Clyde are wonderful parents who work well as a team.

“Bonnie was sent here to join Clyde in 2007 and the two hit it off instantly!”, remarked Murach. “They have been a closely bonded couple ever since. In 2010 the SSP asked that they start a family and they were happy to comply. The young tamarins were born the day after Christmas and after a few weeks of privacy are ready to meet the world!”

Published: January 12th, 2011