Redação

The golden lion tamarin

The golden lion tamarin is a primate found originally in the Atlantic Rainforest in southeastern Brazil. This animal is known popularly as sauí, marmoset, marmoset-foot, red sauí, mico and other regional names. The monkey is in danger of extinction. The natural predators of tamarins are different animals such as pythons, hawks, owls and small cats, but they do not threaten the integrity of the specie. The human beings are the ones who occupy and destroy their natural habitat; they are the main enemies of lion tamarins in the wild. The Atlantic Rainforest, the only habitat of the lion tamarins, was reduced to about 7% of its original size. This accelerated fragmentation is caused by the wood deforestation, farming and human settlements are the main threat to the survival of lion tamarins and hundreds of other species. The fragmentation of the areas where the monkeys live reduce the area of animal life and prevent them from moving between areas in search of food and new areas for occupancy. Illegal hunting for commercial purposes is other factor that threatens the tamarins. Many animals are trapped and die even before they are sold. This is because the monkeys are territorial and aggressive. When placed with other family groups of monkeys they fight to the death. Protected by Federal Law No. 5197 of January 3, 1967 – “Law on Fauna”, is also included in the “official list of Brazilian fauna threatened with extinction” in 1989. The program for the conservation of the species began in the 70’s year through collaboration between the Brazilian Institute of Environment and IBAMA, and today, the compromise between these entities has become an international and interdisciplinary effort to preserve this species and habitat to ensure their survival through conservation activities, education and research. Currently, there is only one place to preserve this animal: The Biological Reserve of Poço das Antas in the state of Rio de Janeiro,