Brazil golden lion tamarin conservation certification

The Mico-Leão-Dourado Ecological Park in Silva Jardim, Brazil, has achieved international recognition as a ‘Wildlife Heritage Area’ (WHA). This designation, granted by Proteção Animal Mundial, marks the first time a terrestrial site has received this certification, which recognizes territories where wildlife protection, animal welfare, and responsible tourism coexist.

The certification highlights the park’s success in protecting the golden lion tamarin, a species that has seen its wild population grow from approximately 2,500 in 2019 to roughly 4,800 in 2023. Conservation efforts have included the restoration of 35 hectares of Atlantic Forest through the planting of over 45,000 native seedlings.

Funding for the park’s facilities, such as research centers and observation decks, has been supported by corporate partnerships and biodiversity funds. The WHA program aims to promote observation experiences that provide economic benefits to local communities while prohibiting exploitative practices and respecting natural animal behavior.