Protecting the Golden-Headed Lion Tamarin Through Sustainable Cacao Farming

Image Courtesy of MongaBay Global Agroforestry

    The golden-headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) is a critically endangered species endemic to the Atlantic Forest in southern Bahia, Brazil. Over the past three decades, the tamarin’s habitat has shrunk by 42%, and its population has declined by about 60%, leaving only 16,000 to 21,000 individuals in the wild. This sharp decrease is largely due to habitat loss caused by deforestation, agriculture, and urbanization.

    One key conservation strategy to protect the species is the cabruca system. The cabruca system is an agroforestry practice where cacao is grown under the canopy of native Atlantic Forest trees. This method not only supports cacao farmers but also provides an essential habitat for the tamarins. The golden-headed lion tamarins rely heavily on these biodiverse forest patches, as they sleep in hollow trees and forage for insects in bromeliads. However, the tamarin’s survival is threatened by pressure from intensifying agricultural practices.

Image courtesy of Patrick Böttger.

     In 2014, a state executive order permitted the reduction of shade trees in cabrucas from 197 trees per hectare to just 40, undermining the habitat. While expanding cacao production offers economic benefits, it comes at a high ecological cost. To address this, conservationists like Joanison Teixeira of the Almada Mata Atlântica Project (AMAP) advocate for sustainable, organic cacao farming. By increasing cacao farmers' profitability through organic certification, Teixeira aims to preserve the high density of shade trees crucial for the tamarins' survival.

    The golden-headed lion tamarin’s situation exemplifies the broader conservation challenge of balancing economic development with wildlife protection, an issue we come across in almost all aspects of conservation. To prevent further decline, we must consult with the local farmers, working with them to incentivize eco-friendly practices that sustain biodiversity while making it economically advantageous for the farmers themselves. 

Source: https://news.mongabay.com/2024/06/how-agroecological-cacao-can-save-an-endangered-lion-tamarin-in-southern-bahia/


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