Cotton-headed tamarin  (Saguinus oedipus)

Deforestation is this species’ greatest threat (6). It has already lost most of its habitat through forest clearing for timber, charcoal, human settlement, agricultural land and industry (3). The forest areas in which it now exists are so fragmented, it is believed that they are too small to maintain the tamarin populations (3). Sadly the continuous expansion of human settlement in northern Colombia has brought the cotton-headed top tamarin more bad luck. With easier access to the tamarin’s habitat, animal collectors trap these small monkeys and sell them in port cities, either for export or local trade (10). Populations in the past have also suffered from the export of significant numbers for biomedical research in the 1960s and 1970s (5) (9).

The cotton-headed tamarin has been listed as endangered since 1970 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) (1). It is also recognised as endangered on the USDI (3), and its listing under Appendix I of the Convention for International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) means that international trade of this species is prohibited (3). However, its numbers have continued to dwindle away, as has its habitat and hope of survival. If this species is to survive, it is essential that immediate conservation measures are implemented (3) (8).