A golden-lion Tamarin was born on February 21st at Micke Grove Zoo. The new arrival is housed with its mother Rio, father Jesse, and one-year-old twin sisters in a new enclosure at the Zoo. The infant’s sex will be determined when it is old enough for the veterinarians to conduct an examination. The infant and its family may be viewed at the Zoo every day between 10:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M.
Named for their golden-orange fur and mane-like hair surrounding their heads, golden-lion tamarins are small neo-tropical primates that live in family groups consisting of several generations. In these families, older siblings are taught how to care for new young, allowing them to develop successful parenting skills. Micke Grove Zoo also houses a second family group that consists of Jesse’s parents and younger siblings.
“It is very exciting and fulfilling to watch the infant take its first steps and begin to gain independence,” stated Alexandra Beraha, a relief animal care specialist.
The golden-lion tamarin is considered an endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) red list for threatened species. Micke Grove Zoo is one of the zoological institutions involved in a species survival program that breeds this species to help prevent their extinction. The species’ native habitat is an extremely small section of Brazilian rainforest that has been negatively impacted by deforestation and habitat fragmentation.
Micke Grove Zoo, located within San Joaquin County’s Micke Grove Regional Park in Lodi, has been a community resource for the last 56 years. The Zoo is open daily (except Christmas) and is a very popular destination for families and school groups. You may obtain more information on planning a visit or scheduling a school tour by viewing the website at
www.mgzoo.com or by calling 209-331-2010.