Bright orange ‘miniature’ monkeys debut at Chester Zoo
The two highly endangered primates are a "must see".
We have welcomed George, seven, and Leaf, 12, who are the first golden lion tamarins to ever live at the zoo.
The duo, who are about the size of pop bottles at just eight inches tall, were caught on camera this week as they explored their new home.
Golden lion tamarins are named after their luxuriant, vibrantly coloured coat and a distinctive mane-like ruff around their heads.
In the wild, they hail from the forests of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The colourful monkeys are classified as endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of threatened species - a result of construction, the expansion of livestock farming and logging in their forest home.
At one point, only a few hundred remained in the wild. Then zoo conservationists stepped in to help bring the species back from the brink of extinction.
They have moved in with the titi monkeys, pygmy marmosets, emperor tamarin and a goeldi monkey, and they all seem to be getting along well.
Their distinctive coats and charismatic behaviour make them easy to spot when they’re jumping from tree to tree in their new home.
James Star, Primate Keeper at Chester Zoo
Leaf and George have moved in with the titi monkeys, pygmy marmosets, emperor tamarin and a goeldi monkey, and they all seem to be getting along brilliantly.
Lion tamarins have elongated fingers and hands that allow them to forage for insects in tree crevices that are otherwise out of reach for the other species they live with.
We have already seen them using this kind of foraging behaviour as they have settled into their new habitat.
Golden lion tamarins are an iconic species with an important conservation story to tell, and it’s great to finally have them at Chester Zoo.
They are a must see for our visitors!
Nick Davis, Mammals General Manager at Chester Zoo
Tamarins play a vital role in the health of their native forest, consuming wild fruits and then passing seeds in their faeces as they travel through their range.
The seeds they spread effectively land within a packet of premade fertiliser, giving the young trees and other plants in the forest all the nutrition they need to grow.
Leaf and George can be found in their habitat between the giant anteaters and the Tree Top Challenge activity area.
With their distinctive golden colour, the charismatic duo are difficult to miss!
This is a great moment to spend some time at the mini monkey habitat. Leaf and George are helping people learn more about primates species and how they benefit from our conservation work in the threatened forests of South America, Madagascar and Southeast Asia.
Mark Brayshaw - Head of Mammals