An adorable set of tiny, critically endangered Twins Born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, doubling the size of the cotton-top tamarin population at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park from 2 to 4! While it isn’t rare for Tamarins to have twin babies, these babies are rare in the sense that the species itself has such small numbers.
Moreover, these are the FIRST Cotton Tamarins born in Disney World since 2001, so this is a huge win for the AZA Species Survival Plan and for the species as a whole. The Animal Care team is understandably over the moon with excitement.
Twins Born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Not only do these little ones delight fans of the animal kingdom, but they are great news for the world! Disney’s conservation efforts have brought numerous baby animals into the world from an array of endangered and threatened species. These births are part of an initiative called the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan.
Cotton-top Tamarins
Cotton-top Tamarins are a species of monkey native to the tropical forests of Columbia. Fully grown adult cotton-top tamarins weigh less than a pound and are about the size of a squirrel. These adorable primates live high in the treetops and forage through the canopy for the fruits and insects that make up most of their diet.
Cotton-top tamarins are considered a rare species with less than 7,500 remaining in the wild. Their numbers are so low that they are, unfortunately, considered critically endangered. Deforestation and habitat loss as well as the illegal pet trade have both contributed to the fate of this species.
Cotton Top Tamarins
These teeny newborns cling tightly to their parents as both mom and dad acrobatically leap from branch to branch in their habitat on Discovery Island. Both mom and dad will share parenting duties over the next few months.
If you are lucky, you will be able to see them there on your next visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Discovery Island is often neglected, yet it holds some of Animal Kingdom’s most spectacular treasures like this family of Cotton-Top Tamarins. Be sure to try to catch a glimpse of this rare sight when you buy Discount Disney World Tickets!
It is too soon to know whether they are male or female. However, when the time comes, the Animal Care Team will be able to name the twins.