Conservation Education Programs Decrease the Desire to Have a Cotton-top Tamarin as a Pet.

What is it about?

Cotton-top tamarins are a critically endangered primate found only in Colombia. Their survival is threatened by habitat destruction and the illegal pet trade. It is very common that cotton-top tamarins are found in rural communities and kept as pets. Proyecto Titi works with local communities and schools to decrease the desire to have cotton-top tamarins as pets. We created TITIRITIANDO, a theatrical event that uses puppets to engage children in teaching them about the consequences of the pet trade and builds an emotional connection to cotton-top tamarins. This program has been effective in increase knowledge about the impacts that the illegal wildlife trade has on cotton-top tamarins, reducing the desire to have a cotton-top tamarin as a pet, and providing actions that participants can engage in that support the conservation of this critically endangered primate.

Featured Image

Photo by Ray Harrington on Unsplash

Photo by Ray Harrington on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Cotton-top tamarins are a critically endangered species and their survival is threatened by forest destruction and the illegal pet trade. Efforts to inform and engage the public in understanding the impacts having a cotton-top tamarins has on the survival of this species has been effective in changing the hearts and minds of children in Colombia.