Shaldon Wildlife Trust in Devon has become one of only two European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) institutions to successfully breed critically endangered pied tamarin twins this year.
The infants were born on 29 September to parents Bobby and Pedra. Both adults share parenting duties, and the young twins are now thriving and exploring their enclosure by hitching rides on their parents’ backs.
Caring for delicate primates
Pied tamarins are among the most difficult small primate species to maintain in captivity. Because these animals require specialist care and a stress-free environment, keepers at the Devon trust kept the births private for several weeks to protect the family during the infants’ most vulnerable stage.
Success for the Devon facility
Zak Showell, Director at Shaldon Wildlife Trust, emphasized the rarity of the achievement.
Pied tamarins are exceptionally delicate animals, and breeding them successfully is a challenge. For a zoo of our size to achieve this and to be one of just two European zoos to manage it this year is an unbelievably proud moment for our small team.
Zak Showell, Director at Shaldon Wildlife Trust
Safeguarding the species population
The arrival of the twins is “extra special” for safeguarding a captive safety-net population, according to Showell.
The accredited charity channels funds raised by visitors directly into frontline conservation work in South America. This financial backing supports Diogo Lagroteria and the Projeto Sauim-de-Coleira project in Brazil, alongside educational outreach for official Pied Tamarin Day.
Viewing the tamarins on the Ness
Visitors to the zoo on the Ness can now observe the young tamarins and their parents in their habitat.
Pied tamarins are classified as critically endangered.