Lincoln Park Zoo Welcomes a Pair of Mustachioed Emperor Tamarins 

Chicago (January 17, 2025) – Lincoln Park Zoo has two new petite primate residents! Emperor tamarins Sal and Feta have settled into their habitat in Regenstein Small Mammal-Reptile House. The monkeys have striking white mustaches that curl under their chins and long golden-red tails that can reach up to 16 inches long.

Sal, an 8-year-old male, and Feta, a 4-year-old female, come to Lincoln Park Zoo with a breeding recommendation through the Bearded Emperor Tamarin Species Survival Plan®. This is a collaborative population management effort among institutions within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The hope is that the two will reproduce once they’re fully acquainted with each other and grow the population.

“It’s always particularly exciting to welcome a new species to the zoo. We are hopeful future offspring will support the next generation of a species which is such a rewarding opportunity,” said Lincoln Park Zoo Curator Dan Boehm. “In the meantime, we’re looking forward to caring for and learning more about Feta and Sal while we get to know their distinct personalities.”

Sal arrived from Chattanooga Zoo in Tennessee and Feta arrived from the Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

Emperor tamarins are believed to have gotten their name from Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, who was well known for his bushy, upturned mustache. You won’t find these primates living in the forests of Germany, though; their native range is throughout the Amazon Basin, including Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia, and they typically make their homes in wooded habitats. Wild family groups can include up to 15 individuals, with one breeding female and two breeding males. Newborns are carried on the backs of the adults for up to seven weeks and weaned at two or three months of age. They become adults between 16–20 months.

Emperor tamarins are listed as a species of Least Concern with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List, meaning that they do not currently face any threat of endangerment or extinction. With that said, the species does experience pressure from deforestation and other human agricultural activities in the Amazon Basin.

Emperor tamarins like Sal and Feta have also been known to be trafficked as pets. In an effort to curb the primate pet trade and improve the welfare for all primates, Lincoln Park Zoo has joined forces with dozens of other organizations to advocate for the Captive Primate Safety Act. If passed, this bill would prohibit private possession of nonhuman primates. You can learn more about CPSA here.

About Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year. Visit us at lpzoo.org.

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