WASHINGTON — One of two newborn golden lion tamarins born at the National Zoo died Tuesday morning after apparently falling off of one of its parents, according to a statement from zoo officials.
The two endangered monkeys were born at the zoo on Friday to first-time parents Mo and Izzy.
Zoo officials said that the other infant is doing well and that its health will continue to be monitored to ensure it’s developing normally.
Staff at the zoo had seen both babies being carried by their parents, and they said it appeared both were nursing regularly.
According to the zoo, golden lion tamarins have high infant-mortality rates, with approximately half of infants dying before they reach the age of 1. It is not uncommon for tamarin babies to accidentally fall off their parents while traversing branches.
The zoo’s habitat for golden lion tamarins is designed for a family group with infants, but zoo officials said that they took additional steps to create a baby-friendly exhibit, including draining pools, turning off waterfall features and limiting noise and unfamiliar staff in the habitat.
A necropsy, which is an animal autopsy, may provide more information on the infant’s health, the zoo said.
