Two cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus), one of the most endangered primate species in the world, have been born at Terra Natura Benidorm. The birth, which took place last October in the facility dedicated to this species, marks an important milestone for the park’s conservation efforts.

The babies, whose sex is yet unknown, were born in their mother Martina’s nest following a straightforward birth, weighing around 50 grammes at birth, they are growing normally and favourably. They are clinging firmly to their mother’s body and displaying good traits like a curled tail, which is a sign of robust and healthy growth.

To guarantee the welfare of the babies and the family group, the team of zoo keepers are keeping a strict observation procedure. Every day, they are monitored to make sure they are healthy, attentive, and receiving the right nutrition from their mother. The babies sleep most of the time during the first  weeks, but eventually they open their eyes and start interacting with the adults, displaying an interest in their surroundings.

These interactions are a good sign for the development because they will eventually start to leave the adults for brief expeditions before going back to their parents’ or siblings’ protection. The zoo keepers must closely monitor this process to make sure the babies develop into robust, healthy adults.

This is the third birth for Martina, who has been sharing the care of the babies with the father since day two. The strong social ties of this large family group—which currently consists of eight members—are further strengthened by the active involvement of the older siblings in their care. The stability and unity of this monkey family at Terra Natura Benidorm are highlighted by the unusually high degree of harmony observed in such huge groups.

The cotton-top tamarin is listed as Vulnerable (VU) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and is included in the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). The conservation of this species is crucial, as it faces serious threats such as deforestation, illegal trafficking as pets and the historical impact of its use in biomedical research.

By helping to maintain and reproduce the species in controlled settings and increasing public awareness of the value of their conservation, this birth further solidifies our dedication to the protection of endangered species. In addition to being a reason for celebration for Terra Natura Benidorm, the birth of these two babies marks a major milestone in the global conservation efforts for cotton-top tamarins, a species whose survival hinges on proactive measures to save their habitats and reduce the threats they face.