White-footed Tamarin

The White-footed tamarin (Saguinus leucopus)  is one of the endemic primates of Colombia most threatened. This, in large part, is due to the transformation suffered by the regions in which it inhabits, specifically from the North of Tolima to the South of Bolívar, in the area between the lower basin of the Cauca river and the middle basin of the  Magdalena river.

In that region, most of the original ecosystems have been transformed into pastures, crops and infrastructure projects, fragmenting and reducing significantly the habitat available for the species, causing the isolation of its populations. Additionally, it has been affected due to the high rates of extraction of individuals for illegal trade and that makes them pets.

Despite being considered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as an endangered species, and having advances on its distribution and state of its populations, there are still gaps in information about its ecology.

WCS, during the last eight years, has conducted studies to increase the knowledge of this mammal in terms of its population densities, habitat occupation, genetic diversity and health status throughout its distribution, contributing to the implementation of the plan. action for Saguinus leucopus (gray marmoset) under the National Primate Conservation Program of Colombia, which WCS has been working together with the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development and the Colombian Primate Association.