Newborn golden lion tamarin dies at Zoo Atlanta

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By Kristi E. Swartz

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

One of the golden lion tamarins that was born last week at Zoo Atlanta has died, zoo officials said Tuesday afternoon.

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Zoo Atlanta Zoo Atlanta released this photo March 19 when it announced that its golden lion tamarin, named Robin, has given birth to twins.

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The tamarin -- one in a set of twins -- died Monday, zoo officials said. The other infant tamarin appears to be "thriving," according to the zoo's animal management and veterinary teams.

The pair were born last week to Robin, a 5-year-old golden lion tamarin.

According to a statement from the zoo, tamarins are known to carry an increased risk of infant mortality if they are born to first-time parents.

Male golden lion tamarins play a key role in child rearing, zoo officials said, so Robin's mate, Theo, is expected to take an active role as a dad.

Zoo officials on Tuesday said that Robin and Theo, 4, were the youngest tamarins in their own families -- and as a result never learned how to take care of infant tamarins, unlike their older brothers and sisters. For tamarins, taking care of an infant is learned through practice and observation, zoo officials said.

"Zoo staff believe this inexperience led to the pair’s inability to adequately care for two offspring," according to a statement.

Golden lion tamarins got their name because of the vivid orange manes that frame their faces, the zoo said. They are native to Brazil and are about the same size as squirrels.

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