The pied tamarins triplets born at the Chattanooga Zoo on Thursday
The pied tamarins triplets born at the Chattanooga Zoo on Thursday
The pied tamarins triplets born at the Chattanooga Zoo on Thursday
The pied tamarins triplets born at the Chattanooga Zoo on Thursday
The Chattanooga Zoo announces the birth of three pied tamarins. The triplets were born at the Chattanooga Zoo in the early morning hours Thursday to seasoned mother and first time father,
Zafra and Sammy. Parents and infants are all doing great, reported Zoo officials.
Pied Tamarin Primary Keeper, Kate Warner said, “Pied tamarins are an endangered animal but there is still hope for this species, and many of the other animals you will find at our zoo. In a time where more and more species are becoming threatened, it is the plight of these animals which keeps us going. You can be sure that zoos and aquariums are on the front lines in the battle to save wildlife and wild places. This is why I do what I do.”
In efforts to conserve this species in the wild, the Chattanooga Zoo is a participant of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for the pied tamarin program.
Zafra came to the Chattanooga Zoo in April 2016 as a breeding recommendation from the SSP for the Zoo’s resident male pied tamarin, Sammy. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, pied tamarins are listed as an endangered species. Their biggest threat to survival is habitat loss and range replacement.
At age 9, Zafra has mothered and raised three infants at the Cleveland Zoo before coming to make the Chattanooga Zoo her home; the triplets make her a mother of siz. The experienced mother is doing great and shown to be a very caring mother. First time father, Sammy, also 9 years old, is showing he is a natural and being very helpful in caring for their young. Group care of the young is a very important feature among tamarin social structures, said officials.
The triplets are already nursing well and will be very dependent on their parents for up to seven months. They should start showing mobility in 3-5 weeks.
Because the pied tamarin triplets were birthed on exhibit in the Corcovado Jungle exhibit building, they will stay with their parents on exhibit, and the Zoo welcomes all guests to come visit them. As they are new born infants and the parents are experiencing higher stress levels at this time, Zoo officials do ask that all visitors are respectful of this and refrain from any intentional disturbances.
The Chattanooga Zoo first began housing pied tamarins in 2009. This is the first SSP successful breeding of this species at the Chattanooga Zoo. The Zoo currently houses seven pied tamarins, including the triplet infants.