PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A Rhode Island zoo on Wednesday announced the birth of a baby golden lion tamarin.
In a news release, Roger Williams Park Zoo & Carousel Village announced the birth of the squirrel-sized primate, which has a reddish gold coat and long, backswept manes.
The animal was born on Aug. 11, and zookeepers have not yet determined its gender, WPRI-TV reported. The animal’s mother is Raff and its father is Kyle, the zoo said.
Hello, little one! 🧡 Meet our tiny new addition. The endangered golden lion tamarin baby was born last Thursday to father Kyle & mom Raff. Born fully furred with eyes open, both parents and even siblings (Angus & Boudica) will take turns carrying & caring for the infant. pic.twitter.com/bFqA5JHC1w
— Roger Williams Park Zoo (@RWPZoo) August 17, 2022
According to the zoo, golden lion tamarins are born with its full mane and its eyes open. It clings with its mother for its first few weeks of life and nurses for 90 days. The animal is native to Brazil’s tropical rain forests.
Zoo visitors can view the newborn and its mother in the Faces of the Rain Forest exhibit.
The golden lion tamarin is listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources’ Red List.
“Golden lion tamarins are one of 50 species we have here at the zoo managed under the species survival Plan,” Amy Roberts, the zoo’s director of animal programs, said in a statement. “The Zoo is one of 150 worldwide participating in the golden lion tamarin SSP.”
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