Brazil

The Golden Lion Tamarin Project

One of the best-known rainforest conservation efforts in Brazil, the Golden Lion Tamarin Conservation Project (GLTCP), is a mere two-hour drive from the city of Rio de Janeiro. The Golden Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia), a strikingly beautiful squirrel-sized primate, that exists only in the lowland Atlantic Forest of the state of Rio de Janeiro, is one of the most endangered primate species on earth. All of the approximately 1000 remaining wild individuals are found in the Poço das Antas Biological Reserve and the surrounding private land.

Once considered the most endangered primate in the world, Golden Lion Tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia) of Brazil has experienced a recovery that is a truly amazing story of conservation. A "flagship species" of the Brazilian rainforest, this squirrel sized, firey-orange primate faced what appeared to be certain extinction in the 1970's. Lion Tamarins are among the world's most critically endangered mammals. They are found in that part of Brazil with the densest human population. Their decline was largely due to habitat destruction and until the 1960's they were captured in large numbers for export to zoos, laboratories and the pet trade. At one point, the number of Golden Lion Tamarins in the wild was estimated to be below 100.
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Primate Watching program

07:00am - Rio de Janeiro - Silva Jardim - Airport or Hotel pick up. Transfer Rio-Silva Jardim, where the reserve is located.

09:00am - Arrival to reintroduction area, where Golden Lion Tamarins are being reintroduced to their natural habitat, with the supervision and guidance of Golden Lion Tamarin Conservation Project technical staff. Tracking through trails in the forest to observe the specimens in reintegration in their natural habitat.

11:00h - Golden Lion Tamarin Project - Visit to the Environment Educational Center.

12:30h - Fazenda Bom Retiro - Transfer Fazenda RPPN to Bom Retiro Farm for lunch. The place has an informal but warm atmosphere where travelers will have a Brazilian regional meal. Buffet service.

15:30h - Silva Jardim - Rio de Janeiro -Return to Rio. Estimated time arrival: 17:30pm.

General Information

Important - A percentage of visitors' fee will be hand out to the Golden Lion Tamarin Project.
Capacity - Maximum of 15 guests.
Level - Easy Level Program.
Guide - English. Other idioms upon request.
Personal Gear - Long sleeved shirt, jeans or tracksuit, sneakers or hiking boots, mosquito repellent.
Optional Gear - Video and/or photo camera(s) & films, penknife, raincoat, small backpack.

Price: $319 each for 2-3, $209 each for 4-6, $145 each for 7-9

Includes private transportation, full day at reserve , lunch