The Black Lion Tamarin Comeback Story

Project Details:

Once stretched along Brazil’s southeast coast, the Atlantic Forest is now a green archipelago; less than 30 percent of its original canopy remains. In these islands of trees, the black lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysopygus), a primate found nowhere else on Earth, clings to survival. With fewer than 1,600 individuals left, this Endangered species is a symbol of hope for one of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems. The Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (IPÊ), with support from the Colossal Foundation’s Species Reintroduction Fund, is working to secure a future for the tamarins through population management, habitat restoration, and community engagement in São Paulo’s Pontal do Paranapanema region.

Why the Black Lion Tamarin Matters

Black lion tamarins disperse seeds, prune insect outbreaks, and inspire curiosity to those who spot their black-and-gold flash. Protecting their last strongholds shields dozens of other forest dwellers—capuchins, howler monkeys, orchids, and endemic birds—while stitching carbon-rich habitat back into Brazil’s climate arsenal. Each reconnected fragment is a lifeline for wildlife and for communities that rely on healthy water, soil, and biodiversity. 

Progress So Far

For over 40 years, IPÊ has led the charge for black lion tamarin conservation. The program has discovered 10 new populations, reintroduced tamarins to key areas, and restored Brazil’s largest forest corridor—over 12,000 acres—benefiting both wildlife and local communities. These efforts led to the creation of the 6,700-hectare Black Lion Tamarin Ecological Station and earned the species its status as a symbol of São Paulo’s Atlantic Forest. Thanks to IPÊ’s work, the tamarin’s status improved from Critically Endangered to Endangered in 2008, a rare success for a primate species.

How the Species Reintroduction Fund is Helping

The Colossal Foundation’s grant powers a four-pronged push for black lion tamarin in 2025:

• Recovery Assessment – Confirm presence, genetics, and health of tamarins across three priority landscapes

• Translocation Planning – Updating the translocation and rewilding plan for key forest fragments.

• Habitat Restoration – Prioritizing 2,000 acres for restoration and protection to enhance habitat connectivity.

• Community Outreach – Roll out hands-on lessons to 100 teachers, reaching 1,000+ students and families with stories of forest conservation.