Our cotton-top tamarin family recently welcomed two new additions! Twins were born to our matriarch, Luna, overnight on Jan. 2.
“The babies are doing great!” said Rainforest Revealed area supervisor Grace Scott. “They have been holding tight when on the backs’ of their mom and older brothers and have been seen nursing.”
These little ones are extra special for our Zoo. Their sire, Cricket, passed away over a month ago.
“We’re so happy that Cricket will live on in two more kiddos!” Grace shared. “He was a great dad, but his sons have done a great job assisting with parenting duties.”
The twins join their older brothers – also sired by Cricket – Rue, Rudy, Albie and Reggie in their habitat in our Rainforest Revealed loop.
Rudy, as always, has stepped up and been very watchful and protective since the births, Grace said. Albie is showing more interest in this set of twins than with 1-year-olds Reggie and Rue – he’s actually become one of the primary infant carriers of the troop. The animal care team has even seen Reggie and Rue taking care of the new babies!
Luna is doing well post-birth and has been very attentive and caring toward the infants, Grace said.
“She has already been coming down to keepers, even when she has the babies on her back, which isn’t always the case this soon after birth, but goes to show just how confident and experienced of a mother she is,” she said.
Luna and the twins have such good care from their family that our animal care team is taking a more hands-off approach – as they’ve done with the three cotton-top tamarin births we’ve welcomed in the last few years. You may see stanchions up around the habitat to give the family some extra privacy.
Luna and Cricket were paired according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan, which manages the populations of animals within AZA-accredited zoos to ensure healthy, genetically diverse groups. Cotton-top tamarins are critically endangered in their natural range due to habitat loss and the pet trade. This means every individual, including our two newest additions, are critical successes for the future of cotton-top tamarins.
Special thanks to Flammio Financial Group, Stifel-Garvin Wealth Management Group, Artemis IT, and Jim and Darleen Barfield. Their generosity makes our work possible!
Brevard Zoo is an independent, not-for-profit organization that receives no recurring government funding for our operating costs. Your generous support enables us to continue to serve our community and continue our vital animal wellness, education and conservation programs.