Saving Endangered Brazil Monkey an Environmental Success Story

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Byline: Associated Press

SILVA JARDIM, Brazil Three tiny flaming orange monkeys crouched on a tree branch, cocking their heads as if to better hear the high-pitched whistles and yaps that came from deep within the dense green foliage. Then they answered in kind, rending the morning with their sharp calls and cautiously greeting each other in the forest.

That the cries of Brazils endangered golden lion tamarins should fill the air at all on a recent afternoon was cause for celebration, the result of one of the worlds most inspired species restoration efforts. In fact, that campaign has transformed the lush forest where the monkeys live and has become a model widely cited for saving other animals.

"There is no question in my mind that the golden lion tamarin is one of the best examples of international collaboration anywhere in the world," said Russell Mittermeier, president of environmental group Conservation International and chair of the International Union for Conservation of Natures group on primates. "I cite it every couple of weeks. This is how you do this kind of thing."

Saving the …