Chattanooga Zoo welcomes rare Pied Tamarin babies

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – There’s something worth celebrating at the Chattanooga Zoo, a baby boom among one of the world’s most endangered primates, the pied tamarin.

The zoo recently announced that Daphne, one of its resident pied tamarins, gave birth to a single baby, while Carly, another female, welcomed twins.

This rare event is significant for a species facing a steep decline in the wild.

Jake Cash, public relations representative for the Chattanooga Zoo, emphasized just how vital these births are for global conservation.

He explained that maintaining a healthy and genetically diverse population in zoos is essential to the species’ survival, especially as their wild numbers continue to fall.

“The pied tamarin is critically endangered. We’re working to create a sustainable, genetically diverse population within zoos, so that if we get to a point in the wild where there are no pied tamarins left, some of the work we’re doing now can help keep that species around and help save them from extinction,” Cash elaborated.

Experts predict the wild pied tamarin population will decrease by as much as 80% over the next two decades.

The species, native to shrinking rainforests near a rapidly expanding Brazilian city, faces habitat loss as urban development encroaches further into their environment.

Cash further expressed that the situation is urgent, underscoring the important role zoos play in keeping the species from disappearing entirely.

Chattanooga is one of only six zoos nationwide to house pied tamarins, and it now boasts the second-largest collection in the country.

The zoo is home to 11 pied tamarins in two breeding groups, and staff hope to inspire other institutions to join the effort to save this unique species.

The significance of these births extends beyond zoo staff.

Local community members and first-time visitors are taking notice of Chattanooga’s role in global conservation.

Jaydalee Marrero, who had never been to the Chattanooga Zoo before, expressed her excitement about witnessing such a rare species thriving in the city.

“To have them here, how rare it is to have these species in zoos and to actually breed them, so to see it happening here down in Chattanooga is actually really crazy. You know, you get to experience and see it all happen,” Marrero shared.

Other visitors echoed the sense of wonder and appreciation for the zoo’s efforts.

Zoo enthusiast Caroline Adams described her experience simply:

“I like seeing all the animals…”

Cash hopes that by offering guests a chance to see these rare primates up close, the zoo will inspire a deeper connection to wildlife and conservation.

Community members can now observe the pied tamarins, knowing the Chattanooga Zoo is doing its part to help protect species from extinction.

“As we continue to have more babies and our population reproduces, we’re helping create a sustainable, genetically diverse population. That way, if we ever reach a point where there are no tamarins left in the wild, our work now can help ensure they aren’t lost forever,” Cash concluded.

The zoo encourages everyone to visit, meet the new arrivals, and learn more about how they can support wildlife conservation, both locally and globally.

For more information about the Chattanooga Zoo’s conservation initiatives or to plan a visit, head to chattzoo.org.