Cotton-top tamarins are one of the most endangered species and these individuals are increasingly threatened by habitat destruction. Dr. Snowdon has developed a successful collaboration with INDERENA, the flora and fauna protection agency of Columbia, to study the behavior and biology of cotton- top tamarins in their natural environment. Although a wealth of knowledge is available about these small New World primates kept in captivity, little is known about their existence in the wild and their survival in the future is precarious at best. Since the utmost importance for the survival of any endangered species is that of reproduction, Dr. Snowdon will first use non-invasive techniques to obtain hormonal samples from animals in the native habitat. These findings will be compared with data obtained from groups of wild-caught tamarins housed in a captive, outdoor research facility to provide a better understanding of reproductive cycles and the influence of food distribution on seasonal breeding. Collaborating with a specialized team of Colombian biologists, Dr. Snowdon will gather information on infant development and examine where there are differences in development and infant care between wild and captive groups. Such information on yearly reproductive output and infant survival will be used in planning long-term conservation programs, in the development of conservation education projection and for scientific information that will generate new hypotheses and validate studies on tamarins raised in captivity. It is only through an understanding of the biology and behavior of this species, the establishment of protected reserves, effective conservation education programs, and public support that the survival of cotton-top tamarins will be guaranteed to have a future in the wild.
