S’pore Zoo welcomes latest addition to primate family

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Zoo is celebrating its latest addition to the primate family.

Baby, a golden—headed lion tamarin, was born with his twin brother about three months ago. Unfortunately, his twin died soon after birth.

The normal lifespan of a golden—headed lion tamarin is 12 years.

The twins’ father, Rainbow, was 14 years old when he sired them, which could explain why the twins were born frail.

Still, Rainbow did not give up on Baby, picking him up whenever Baby fell off his tail.

Rainbow’s perseverance also inspired Baby’s mother to start nursing him more.

Baby is now healthy enough to explore the surroundings on his own.

"It is always heartwarming to welcome new births to our zoo family. This baby is even more special because of the extraordinary circumstances that he had to go through to survive. He is a true fighter," said Mr Alagappasamy Chellaiyah, assistant director, Zoology, Singapore Zoo.

The golden—headed lion tamarin is a species endemic to Brazil and is found only in certain areas of the state of Bahia.

This tamarin species is listed as endangered in the wild on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.

It is believed there are about 6,000 to 14,000 golden—headed lion tamarins in the wild.

— CNA/cc