KC Zoo celebrates birth of two endangered cotton-top tamarin monkeys
It was a birthday worthy of celebration, when the Kansas City Zoo welcomed three endangered baby cotton-top tamarins into the world last month. And while only two survived the first day, zoo officials say they’re pleased.
The babies, who are a species of monkey, had a smooth birth on May 19, said KC Zoo executive director Sean Putney.
Since then, they’ve mostly clung to the backs of their parents, he said. They’re about the size of a quarter, and look like little white dots from afar, said Putney.
“Just try to think about it from a human perspective. They have to rely on their own strength from birth to cling on to the hair of their parents. You can’t possibly think that of a human baby,” he said. “That’s a huge difference between us and a lot of primates’ babies.”
It’s uncommon for all three babies to survive after a triple birth, said Putney. Anatomically, the tamarins only have a nipple to feed two babies, though raising a third isn’t impossible, he said.
The two survivors have yet to be named. The zoo typically waits until it’s possible to tell their sexes.
O’Brien and Sarah, the parents, are both 12 years old. O’Brien has been at the zoo since 2016, and Sarah arrived in 2018. The two play an important role, as the zoo is undergoing conservation efforts for the endangered monkeys.
“In the wild, cotton-top tamarins are only found in a very small area, and they’re an endangered species, only native to Colombia,” said Putney.
Their small natural habitat, combined with habitat destruction and the illegal pet trade, are the main reasons for their endangerment, he said. The zoo plays an important part in the species’ survival plan, nurturing and caring for them, he continued.
“In the habitat that they’re at, this is their second group of youngsters that we’ve had here, so obviously, they feel adapted and well at home there,” he said.
The tamarin’s exhibit is in the Sobela Ocean Aquarium.
The two births are important milestones for the zoo, as it grows the species’ genetic system, allowing them to spread their diverse genes with other cotton-top tamarins, he said.
Plus, the zoo’s newest additions don’t just help lift up their species; they also lift up the spirits of of zoo-goers and zookeepers alike.
“Everybody loves youngsters running around,” said Putney.
This story was originally published June 6, 2025 at 6:07 AM.
