Tamarin Trust’s founder, Dom Wormell, has been working for the conservation of tamarins in Colombia for two decades. Here he describes what he experienced in a trip to the country in September 2025, and how it contrasts with what he found on his first visit.

“More than twenty years ago, I found myself in a rescue centre near the city of  Medellín, on the western side of Colombia’s Magdalena Valley. I can still remember the sight — rows of tiny tamarins peering nervously from cramped cages, hundreds of them, the sound of their constant distress calls very upsetting, all victims of the illegal wildlife trade. The centre was finding it difficult to cope, overflowing with confiscated animals: in particular there were large numbers of cotton-top tamarins and white-footed tamarins, both species highly threatened in the wild and only found in Colombia.

“It was a heartbreaking scene. I remember standing there, feeling helpless, asking myself, What can we do to stop this? How can we protect these beautiful primates in the wild?

(L) Wild white-footed tamarin in Colombia; (C) white-footed tamarins in a rescue centre in 2006; (R) facilities for rescued animals in 2006.

“Fast forward to September 2025. I returned to that same rescue centre, and the transformation was astonishing. Where once there was a facility that was inadequate and struggling to cope, now there was a huge new centre with excellent protocols for recovery, rehabilitation and release. Tamarins were being carefully prepared to return to their natural habitat. Even more encouraging, the number of trafficked tamarins — at least for the white-footed species — had noticeably declined throughout Colombia.

“Wildlife trafficking has been a huge problem in Colombia for many years. Rescue centres have been overwhelmed for years, especially with parrots and tamarins. Some people locally have traditionally kept them as pets, which is now illegal, while others are exported as large sums of money can be made. But the tide is turning. Since 2006, I’ve been involved with the White-footed Tamarin Conservation Programme, an initiative set up by Beauval Nature and supported by European zoos and NGOs, which aims to reduce capture at its source through education and community engagement. The project also focuses on the captive care of tamarins, working with government agencies, rescue centres, zoos and universities to build a captive conservation assurance population in the country.

“The project has targeted towns in the areas where tamarins are taken from the wild, and through education in local communities, organising festival days to celebrate the tamarins and the importance of the forests to all.

“These colourful festivals have became central to conservation efforts, bringing the whole community together. I’ll never forget the sight of children marching proudly through the streets, led by brass bands, telling the story of these tiny monkeys and why they must remain in the forest.

“Now, in 2025, the number of white-footed tamarins arriving at rescue centres has fallen dramatically. I believe this success reflects the impact of targeted education and outreach in the communities in the range of the tamarins most affected by the illegal trade.

(L) Festival celebrating tamarins; (C, R) large release cages for reintroducing tamarins back into the wild.

“Unfortunately, the situation with regard to illegal traffic for Colombia’s other endemic tamarin — the cotton-top tamarin (see photo on the left) — is not as good. Found in the dry forests in the northwest of the country, this species is now appearing in rescue centres in increasing numbers. New roads have opened up areas of its habitat that were once inaccessible, places that had been effectively protected for years by conflict and instability involving paramilitary and guerilla groups. Hopefully now that these areas are safe to go to there can be renewed education campaigns and focused local engagement, and I believe it’s still possible to slow — and hopefully reverse — this worrying trend with this species, as we have seen with the white-footed tamarin.

“When I first came to Colombia in 2006 while working at Jersey zoo, I was part of a small group of primatologists that started a series of workshops to improve captive management and breeding success for these endangered monkeys. At that time, the average lifespan of tamarins in captivity was only about three years, despite the fact that they should live and breed well into their teens and even twenties.

“Those early workshops brought together Colombian conservationists and international experts experienced in tamarin care. Together, we focused on both ex-situ (captive) and in-situ (wild) conservation: identifying threats, mapping wild populations, and exploring where forests could be protected or new reserves established.

“Nearly 20 years on, I have just returned from the latest workshop, held in Medellin, and funded by the White-Footed Tamarin Conservation Programme. It was clear just how much we have achieved: the white-footed tamarin, found nowhere else in the world, now has a structured captive-breeding programme within Colombia and Colombia’s first-ever mammal studbook. The tamarins are living much longer, mortality rates are much lower, and they are breeding well. Rescue centres are working together on unifying rescue, rehabilitation and release protocols and there is a sense the tide is turning, with many people and organisations working together for the conservation of these beautiful primates.

“The project has even secured two tracts of land, which are now dedicated tamarin reserves, purchased with support from programme donors, and has donated them to become part of the country’s official listed reserves. The area was very dangerous in the past due to the conflict between the government and paramilitaries and has some land mines, which are being carefully removed. The reserve will be managed by park staff to stop any poaching and will help build and connect further forested areas to this land.

“Returning from Colombia last month I was extremely optimistic. The number of white-footed tamarins arriving at rescue centres has dropped dramatically — a powerful sign of progress. It’s deeply rewarding to see such tangible results after years of collaboration, education, and persistence. But our work is far from finished. Continued efforts to rebuilt habitat and continued vigilance will be essential to ensure a safe and lasting future for both these remarkable Colombian tamarin species.”