Golden lion tamarin (GLT)

Although still at risk of extinction, collaborative conservation efforts have helped wild GLT populations increase from fewer than 200 in the early 1970s to over 4,000 today.

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Physical features

Golden lion tamarins (GLTs) are small squirrel-sized primates. They weigh a little over one pound (17-24 ounces) and while their body is only about eight inches (20 cm) long, their tails are an additional 14 inches (36 cm) long.
Unlike some other New World primates (those native to the Americas), their tails are not prehensile. The tail is primarily used for balance as GLTs travel on all four legs (quadrupedally) and leap between trees.
They are named for the lion-like manes of hair that surrounds their nearly bare faces. Their hair is varying shades of reddish-gold. With no sexual dimorphism, males and females cannot be easily distinguished based on appearance.
Like other tamarins, they have claws instead of nails except on their big toe. They use their thin fingers to forage for food in small crevices, holes, bromeliads, and under tree bark. This is called micromanipulation.
Golden lion tamarins have long canine teeth and short but sharp incisor teeth.

Range and Habitat

Range – endemic to Rio de Janeiro state in southeastern Brazil
Habitat – lowland Atlantic coastal rainforest in middle levels of canopy, 10-50 feet up in the trees
- - They rely heavily on the many vines, bromeliads, and other epiphytes (non-parasitic plants that grow on other plants) in their habitat. The vines provide a means of quadrupedal travel between trees while the epiphytes are excellent places to forage for insects.

Diet: Omnivore

Wild – primarily fruits and insects; also nectar and small vertebrates
Zoo – a variety of fruits and vegetables, hard-boiled egg, crickets, mealworms, commercially-prepared marmoset diet

Lifespan

Wild – up to 15 years, average is closer to 8 years
Zoo – up to 20 years, average is about 11 years; oldest was 31

Reproduction

In the wild, mating occurs in June and July, which is the cold and dry season for the Southern Hemisphere.
Gestation lasts about 130 days and births are usually twins (another common characteristic of tamarins and marmosets).
Most births occur in September and November, at the beginning of the rainy season when fruits are most abundant. Births may occur as late as March. Infants are born fully furred with open eyes.
Typically, only one female in the group breeds in a year, but in about 15% of groups, the oldest daughter will produce a litter in the same year as the mother.
Infants typically stay exclusively with the mother for the first week of life. After the first week, the father assumes primary parenting responsibilities, with assistance from all group members to help carry the infants.
Young explore their environment independently after about 5 weeks of age and are weaned at about 3 months.
Females and males reach sexual maturity at about 18 months of age.
Both sexes disperse from the natal group between 2 and 4 years of age.

Conservation: endangered

Although they are still at risk of extinction, focused conservation efforts have made a significant difference for wild GLT populations. In the early 1970s, the wild population was fewer than 200 individuals. In 1973, 43 zoos and other facilities began collaborating through a comprehensive breeding program. As a result, 146 zoo-born GLTs were released into their native range between 1984 and 2000. These efforts permitted GLTs to be downlisted from Critically Endangered to Endangered status in 2003.
In 2018, about one-third to one-half of the wild population (which was about 2,500 at the time) were descended from those reintroduced individuals. The population has continued to rebound from the effects of the yellow fever outbreak. A 2023 census carried out by AMDL estimated 4,800 GLTs in their area of operation.

What’s the issue?

The most significant threat to GLT populations is habitat loss and fragmentation. It is estimated only 2% of their historic range remains and is divided into small fragments.
GLT populations have historically been significantly depleted by the illegal exotic pet trade as well, and recently this has become a larger issue as forests become less protected and more accessible.
The Atlantic Forest region is one of the Top 5 Biodiversity Hotspots recognized by Conservation International. It is home to over 300 species of fauna and almost 10,000 species of trees that are found nowhere else on Earth.

How does this impact humans?

The Atlantic Forest region is home to approximately half of Brazil’s population and generates 80% of the Brazilian GDP. The Atlantic Coastal Forest is critical for providing clean water to the people who live in this region, which requires healthy forest. In addition to providing rare and unique natural resources, the region provides eco-tourism economic opportunities that would vanish along with the forest.
Local communities are at risk of exploitation by organized crime units extracting natural resources for profit.

What is Zoo Atlanta doing to help?

Zoo Atlanta has been actively involved in golden lion tamarin conservation for nearly 30 years. As part of the breeding program mentioned above, two family groups from Zoo Atlanta were released in Brazil. Their descendants are still foraging in the forest today.
Zoo Atlanta is partnered with the Golden Lion Tamarin Association, a Brazilian non-governmental organization, to conserve tamarins and their habitat in perpetuity. Scientists from Zoo Atlanta are working with the Association to develop population plans for the species in the wild to ensure long-term survival.
Save the Golden Lion Tamarin, a U.S.-based non-profit that provides technical and financial support for the Golden Lion Tamarin Association, was a recipient of Quarters for Conservation funding in its debut program year (2016-2017).
The Golden Lion Tamarin Species Survival Plan® and International Studbook are based at Zoo Atlanta.

What can you do to help?

Help stop habitat loss by choosing sustainably sourced products.
- - Look for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo when shopping for paper products.
  - Look for the Rainforest Alliance logo when shopping for other foods, especially cocoa (chocolate) and coffee. Rainforest Alliance certification represents a commitment to long-term environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
  - If you can’t find Rainforest Alliance certified products, look for the “shade-grown” logo.
Reducing your red meat consumption can also help reduce GLT habitat loss for conversion to cattle pastures and soy plantations to produce animal feed.
Be sure to thoroughly research any pets you consider bringing into your home to ensure you make an informed and ethical decision.

Interpretive Information

These small monkeys are very territorial over their home ranges, which average about 100 acres (40 hectares) and are demarcated by scent marking.
Their natural predators include raptors, cats, large snakes and tayras (large members of the weasel family). GLTs have specific alarm calls for aerial versus terrestrial threats. Keeping to the middle level of the canopy provides some protection from both types of predators.
The wild GLT population was estimated at 3,700 in 2017, but a subsequent yellow fever outbreak among people and monkeys throughout southeast Brazil likely caused the population reduction down to 2,500. The population many continue to decline due to yellow fever so the GLTA is looking into vaccination options.
The island of vegetation between Brazilian Outpost and Base Camp Discovery in the Orkin Children’s Zoo has previously been the site of free-ranging golden lion tamarins at Zoo Atlanta. Originally, this program served as a “boot camp” for Zoo-born tamarins to learn and practice foraging and other skills in preparation for release in Brazil. More recently, the program provided a dynamic experience for guests and unique enrichment for participating tamarins.
There are four species of lion tamarins, all endemic to the Atlantic Forest. The other three species (golden-headed lion tamarin, black lion tamarin, and black-faced lion tamarin) face similar threats from habitat loss.

Behavior

Like most primates, golden lion tamarins are social. They live in monogamous family groups of up to 10 individuals, but most groups consist of five or six. Groups typically include a breeding pair and their offspring from the previous two or three litters.
Golden lion tamarins are diurnal. Groups spend the night together in tree holes for warmth and protection. The parents are the last in the hole at night and the first to emerge from it in the morning, providing additional protection to younger group members.
Social behavior within groups includes food sharing, allogrooming, and playing.
Confrontations between social groups typically involve the adults scent marking, vocalizing, and posturing while the young of both groups play together. Actual fighting rarely occurs.
Signs of aggression include an open mouth, an arched back, and staring.
GLTs scent mark by rubbing their chest on surfaces, leaving behind an oily substance.

References

Associação Mico-Leão-Dourado. (n.d.). The Association. Retrieved May 27, 2025 from https://micoleao.org.br/a-associacao/
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund. (2001, December 11). Ecosystem Profile: Atlantic Forest Biodiversity Hotspot [PDF]. Retrieved from https://www.cepf.net/our-work/biodiversity-hotspots/atlantic-forest
Rainforest Alliance. (2020, July 9). What does Rainforest Alliance certified mean? Retrieved from https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/faqs/what-does-rainforest-alliance-certified-mean
Ruiz-Miranda, C.R., Jerusalinsky, L., Kierulff, C., Mittermeier, R.A., Oliveira, L., Pissinatti, A., Valença Montenegro, M. & de Oliveira, P. (2019). Leontopithecus rosalia. Retrieved July 15, 2020, from The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species website: e.T11506A17935211. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T11506A17935211.en.
Save the Golden Lion Tamarin. (2020, July). GLT Fact Sheet (2020) [PDF]. Retrieved from https://www.savetheliontamarin.org/about-glts
Save the Golden Lion Tamarin. (n.d.). GLT FAQs. Retrieved July 16, 2020, from https://www.savetheliontamarin.org/faqs
Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. (n.d.). Golden lion tamarin. Retrieved July 16, 2020, from https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/golden-lion-tamarin
Zoo Atlanta. (n.d.). Golden Lion Tamarin Conservation. Retrieved July 15, 2020, from https://zooatlanta.org/project/golden-lion-tamarin/
Zoo Atlanta Animal Care Team

Created September 2020

Updated May 2025: Population estimates

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