One of the world's smallest and most endangered primates is getting a bit of help from locals in Columbia. The squirrel-sized Cotton-top Tamarins, also called Titi Monkeys, live in a very restricted area and are threatened by habitat loss and the pet trade. These tight-knit family groups work together to raise the youngsters and as you see in this gallery, the father plays an important role in the care giving.
The tamarins have some local advocates. Proyecto Titi is working hard to save these animals by preserving the forests where they live. Members of the group also visit local schools to teach kids that cotton-top tamarins are special and should be protected. Their programs to convert collected plastic bags which are woven into shopping bags for tourists and to melt down old water bottles to create fence posts raise funds to promote conservation, buy land and support research.
