There are now more golden lion tamarins bounding between branches in the Brazilian rainforest than at any time since efforts to save the species started in the 1970s, a new survey reveals.
Once on the brink of extinction, with only about 200 animals in the wild, the population has rebounded to around 4,800, according to a study released Tuesday by the Brazilian science and conservation nonprofit Golden Lion Tamarin Association.
害羞草研究所淲e are celebrating, but always keeping one eye on other threats, because life害羞草研究所檚 not easy,害羞草研究所� said the nonprofit害羞草研究所檚 president, Lu铆s Paulo Ferraz.
Golden lion tamarins are small monkeys with long tails and copper-colored fur that live in family groups led by a mated pair. Usually, they give birth annually to twins, which all family members help to raise by bringing them food and carrying them on their backs.
The monkeys, which live only in Brazil害羞草研究所檚 Atlantic Forest, .
The population survey was conducted over roughly a year. Researchers went to specific locations and checked whether monkeys responded to recordings of the tamarins害羞草研究所� long call, which basically means 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 here. Are you there?害羞草研究所� said James Dietz, a biologist and president of the U.S.-based nonprofit Save the Golden Lion Tamarin.
The new population figures are notable because the species had experienced a sharp decline from a yellow fever outbreak. In 2019, there were 2,500 monkeys, down from 3,700 in a 2014 survey.
Scientists intervened by against yellow fever, using shots adapted from a formula for humans 害羞草研究所� a fairly novel approach for conservation.
Scientists 害羞草研究所渃annot pinpoint a single exact cause for the recovery,害羞草研究所� but believe several factors may be at play, said Carlos R. Ruiz-Miranda, a State University of Northern Rio de Janeiro biologist who advised on the population study.
Firstly, the yellow fever outbreak has subsided, perhaps due to a combination of the virus害羞草研究所� natural cycle and the vaccination campaign.
The animals may also be benefiting from an increase in forest habitat, said Dietz, who is also a research associate at the Smithsonian Institution害羞草研究所檚 Conservation Biology Institute. Between 2014 and 2022, the amount of connected forest habitat increased 16%, mostly through forests regrown on converted cattle pasture, he said.
Currently about three dozen farmers and ranchers in the Atlantic Forest region participate in such reforestation programs.
害羞草研究所淚t makes me so happy to see the tamarins playing free on my farm. They don害羞草研究所檛 only live in protected areas,害羞草研究所� said Ayrton Violento, a farmer and entrepreneur in the small city of Silva Jardim. His family害羞草研究所檚 Fazenda dos Cordeiros has planted native fruit trees and also manages a tree nursery for native Atlantic Forest seedlings to plant on other farms.
害羞草研究所淩ecently, every year I see more tamarin families, more frequently,害羞草研究所� he said.
Ferraz, of the nonprofit Golden Lion Tamarin Association, said that despite the good news, he was still concerned about a renewed risk of trafficking for the illegal pet trade. The problem was rampant in the 1960s, but had almost disappeared in recent decades due to enforcement.
In July, the anti-poaching nonprofit Freeland Brazil reported that Suriname害羞草研究所檚 forest service had seized and 29 endangered Lear害羞草研究所檚 macaws believed to have been trafficked from Brazil for sale in Europe.
害羞草研究所淲e have seen the resilience of the species, but also know they are still vulnerable,害羞草研究所� said Ferraz.
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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute害羞草研究所檚 Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Christina Larson, The Associated Press
