Colchester Zoo are “delighted” to announce that the golden tamarin family has grown once again with the arrival of a baby on Wednesday, April, 29.
The golden lion tamarin is part of a growing family at the zoo, with the last arrival born on June 13, 2025.
Named for their striking golden-orange fur, golden lion tamarins are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss and the pet trade.
The zoo has announced the birth of an endangered animal (Image: Colchester Zoo)
A spokesman for Colchester Zoo said: “The new arrival is doing really well and is currently staying close to mum, Freia, but has also been seen being carried by big sister, Esme.
“Dad, Tree-trunks, has also been very attentive to the little one and has been observed carrying the infant for brief periods.”
The golden lion tamarin was born at the end of April (Image: Colchester Zoo)
The zoo’s breeding pair, Freia and Tree-trunks, were matched as part of the EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) Ex Situ Programme (EEP).
Freia arrived at Colchester Zoo from Banham Zoo on December 3, 2024, followed by Tree-trunks from Jersey Zoo the next day.
The pair quickly bonded and produced their first offspring on June 13, 2025.
That offspring was later confirmed as female and named Esme.
The mum and dad welcomed their first offspring in 2025 (Image: Colchester Zoo)
The spokesman said: “It must have been love at first sniff as they quickly welcomed their first offspring together on June 13, 2025, who was later confirmed as female and named Esme.”
Golden lion tamarins can grow up to 40cm in length and weigh a tiny 25oz.
Infants are born a pale colour and gradually develop their characteristic golden coat as they mature, making newborns difficult to spot in the early weeks.
The spokesman said: “This can make it very difficult when trying to spot the new arrival so be sure to take some time to look.”
The species faced a severe population decline in the 1970s, with only around 200 individuals remaining in the wild.
The extinction risk was lowered from Critically Endangered to Endangered in 2003.
The spokesman said: “As a result of this global effort to protect golden lion tamarins, around a third of the wild population today originates from those raised in centres of wildlife conservation such as CZS.
“However, there is still work to be done to help save these creatures from extinction and this new arrival is a great ambassador for the species.”
Colchester Zoo visitors can see the family group in the Canopy of South America habitat.
Newborns are difficult to spot in the early weeks (Image: Colchester Zoo)
A spokesman said: “Be sure to stop by our Canopy of South America habitat to see the new family group together.
“You may also be able to spot them sunbathing outside in nice weather.”
The EEP breeding programme, managed by EAZA, covers more than 500 animal species and is designed to maintain genetically healthy populations in European zoos.
The spokesman said: “They are a collaboration between zoos, conservation organisations, and governmental bodies to ensure the long-term survival of threatened species with the goal of maintaining healthy and genetically diverse populations.”