Minnesota Zoo Celebrates Rare Cotton-Top Tamarin Birth Amid Endangered Species Crisis

In a remarkable development, the Lake Superior Zoo in Minnesota has welcomed the birth of a newborn cotton-top tamarin, a critically endangered primate species. According to the zoo's recent announcement, two cotton-top tamarins named Mira and Dino recently gave birth to twins, though only one of the infants survived.

The smaller twin sadly passed away within the first 24 hours, a common occurrence among tamarins. However, the surviving infant is reported to be healthy, active, and thriving under the dedicated care of its parents and older siblings, Echo, Tango, and Foxtrot.

The zoo has not yet revealed the name of the newest addition to the tamarin family. These tiny primates are native to the forests of northwestern Colombia and are considered "critically endangered" due to deforestation and the illegal pet trade. In fact, there are only an estimated 2,000 mature cotton-top tamarins left in the wild, making every successful birth a significant step for the species' survival.

Tamarins are known for their fascinating social learning, as parenting skills are not instinctual but rather learned within the troop. As Mira and Dino raise their infant, the older offspring are also gaining valuable experience in caring for the young, a critical behavior for the long-term success of the species.

The recent birth at the Lake Superior Zoo is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP), a coordinated effort to maintain healthy, genetically diverse populations of endangered animals in human care.