A Wildlife Crossing Model for the Golden Lion Tamarin

Abstract

The golden lion tamarin is an endangered species endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. In the 1970’s, their population was only a few hundred individuals due to anthropogenic reasons, such as fragmentation, deforestation, poaching and hunting. Over time with conservation measures, their population grew, and is currently around 2,516 individuals. This number, however, is not stable. As a major highway, BR-101, continues to widen, populations of golden lion tamarins continue to be isolated, resulting in inbreeding and lack of allele transfer. Golden lion tamarins are known to avoid crossing roads, so an alternate solution must be implemented. That alternate solution is a wildlife crossing. Building a wildlife crossing over BR-101 to connect currently isolated populations of golden lion tamarins will allow for genetic exchange and will eventually stabilize the golden lion tamarin population.