The Black-faced Lion Tamarin Conservation Program is one of SPVS’s key initiatives dedicated to the protection of an extremely rare and endemic Atlantic Forest species. The black-faced lion tamarin (Leontopithecus caissara), also known as the caiçara lion tamarin, occurs exclusively in a very small portion of the Atlantic Forest between the states of Paraná and São Paulo, Brazil. Because of its restricted distribution, small population size and dependence on well-conserved habitats, the species is highly vulnerable to environmental change.
Implemented by SPVS since 2018, the program focuses on the monitoring and conservation of the species and its natural habitat, while also strengthening the connection between local communities, scientific knowledge and protected areas. Its activities take place mainly in the Cananéia State Park, in São Paulo, and the Superagui National Park, in Paraná, two protected areas located within the Atlantic Forest Great Reserve, the largest well-preserved continuous remnant of the Atlantic Forest.
The black-faced lion tamarin is one of the rarest primates in Brazil. The latest population estimate recorded approximately 400 individuals in the wild, which makes the conservation of every group and every fragment of habitat essential for the survival of the species. In Paraná, the species is found only on Superagui Island and in the mainland area known as Rio dos Patos, both within the Superagui National Park. In São Paulo, it occurs in the mainland region of Ariri, including the Cananéia State Park and surrounding areas.
The main threats to the species are related to habitat loss, fragmentation and the isolation of populations. Because the black-faced lion tamarin depends on a very limited and specific portion of the Atlantic Forest, the disconnection of natural habitats can reduce movement between groups, limit genetic exchange and increase the species’ vulnerability. The loss of mainland areas within its distribution range is also a major concern, especially in a coastal region subject to land-use change and development pressures.
SPVS’s program combines field monitoring, scientific research, community engagement, education and institutional partnerships. One of its most important strengths is the integration of local and scientific knowledge. Residents who know the forest, the species and its habitat contribute directly to monitoring activities, helping researchers locate groups, understand the territory and improve conservation strategies. This approach also creates employment and income opportunities for local people, reinforcing the idea that biodiversity conservation can generate tangible benefits for communities.
The program has also expanded scientific knowledge about a species that is still relatively little studied. Monitoring activities include direct observation, field surveys and the use of camera traps in natural habitats. These tools have helped record the presence of the species and better understand its behavior, habitat use and conservation needs. Drone flights have also been used to support the monitoring of restoration areas, generating information that contributes to scientific discussions and long-term management decisions.
In addition to protecting the species itself, the program contributes to the broader conservation of the Atlantic Forest coastal landscape where the tamarin occurs. By focusing on the black-faced lion tamarin, SPVS also helps protect forests, islands, mainland habitats, ecological corridors, water resources and the cultural identity of local communities. The species is a source of pride for local residents and has strong potential to become a symbol of conservation and regional identity.
The initiative is aligned with the vision of the Atlantic Forest Great Reserve and with Brazil’s National Action Plan for the Conservation of Atlantic Forest Primates and the Maned Sloth. This alignment strengthens the program’s role within a broader national and regional conservation strategy, connecting species protection with protected area management, research institutions, public agencies and civil society organizations.
Education and communication are also central components of the program. The charismatic image of the black-faced lion tamarin helps engage children, young people, communities, companies and public institutions in the conservation agenda. Art, environmental education and outreach activities have been used to raise awareness about the species and its habitat, including international collaborations that brought artists and biologists together to support communication efforts.
The Black-faced Lion Tamarin Conservation Program demonstrates how the protection of a single species can generate wider benefits for biodiversity, science, protected areas and local development. By combining research, local knowledge, community participation and partnerships, SPVS works to ensure that this unique primate remains in the wild and that the forests it depends on continue to provide ecological, cultural and economic value for present and future generations.