Newborns make first public appearance at Prospect Park Zoo

The Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS’s) Prospect Park Zoo now has new (and cute!) additions to its growing family of the Geoffroy’s marmoset and tamarin species and they are ready for visitors!

Four-year-old male and five-year-old female marmosets Gordon and Xing birthed a trio of Geoffroy’s marmosets (Callithrix geoffroyi) this past March while the young Geoffroy’s tamarin (Saguinus geoffroyi) was born to tamarin parents Napoleon and Canoli this past April.

Geoffroy’s marmosets are originally from the Atlantic rainforest in eastern Brazil and the breeding program in the Prospect Park Zoo is part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP).

“[SSP] is a cooperative breeding program designed to enhance the genetic viability and demographic stability of animal populations in zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA),” according to WCS Spokesperson Barbara Russo.

According to WCS, triplet births are relatively rare among the marmoset species, which makes this an exciting occasion for the zoo and its visitors.

Geoffroy’s tamarins are native to central and eastern Panama, and this is the fifth tamarin born to Napoleon and Canoli.

Photos by Julie Larsen Maher
Photos by Julie Larsen Maher

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