Durrell’s pied tamarin work honoured

BREEDING SUCCESS: Durrell’s work with the critically endangered pied tamarin is having benefits in the wild, too. Picture: G Guida

‘Challenging to maintain and breed'

November 2011: Durrell received one of the top awards from the zoo world earlier this month following a prestigious ceremony held at Twycross Zoo in Warwickshire.

Durrell received the award for Conservation Breeding in recognition of its sustained work with the critically endangered pied tamarin over the past 20 years.

Turned the fortunes of the species around
Dominic Wormell, head of mammals and the European studbook keeper for the species said: ‘We are delighted to receive this award.

'This sensitive primate has proved extremely challenging to maintain and breed in captivity but the dedication and expertise of our specialist team, keepers and vets, has helped turn the fortunes of this species around.

‘Animals bred here, and techniques developed at the trust, have been exported to other institutions worldwide, meaning the captive safety-net population is currently secure.

'But just as importantly we have also supported conservation projects in the monkey's native Brazil in efforts to stem the species decline in the wild.'