Golden Lion Tamarins, Cortez and Pablo jetted in from Copenhagen Zoo last week after the Nature Centre was invited to participate in a global breeding programme to save one of the world’s most endangered primate species from extinction.
And the duo, who will be in quarantine until next spring, were followed on their journey by a film crew from the hit TV series Animal Planet.
Earlier this year, the Birmingham Nature Centre was invited to participate in the Golden Lion Tamarin and the Golden Headed Lion Tamarin breeding programmes.
In June, keepers welcomed three female golden headed lion tamarins – Nala and her two daughters Santo and Akasha – from Colchester Zoo.
The three have settled well and now have been joined at the Centre by Cortez and Pablo.
Birmingham City Council Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport and Culture Cllr Martin Mullaney said: “Birmingham Nature Centre has a growing international reputation and it’s a real honour that we are taking part in this breeding programme.
“For the Brazilian government to launch this programme gives a clear indication of the urgency of the situation. Now hopefully we can help safeguard these two endangered species for generations to come.
“This summer the three Golden Headed Lion Tamarins have become firm favourites with visitors to the Nature Centre and I’m sure that will be the case with the golden lion tamarins.”
The Golden Headed Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) is a lion tamarin endemic to Brazil. It is found only in the state of Bahia and is considered to be an endangered species.
Birmingham Nature Centre is also working to help save the rarest of all the lion tamarins, the Black Faced Lion Tamarin.
The species is now being monitored in the wild using radio transmitter technology and staff in Birmingham are providing support for students engaged in the project.
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