A risk assessment for the Golden lion tamarin has been conducted by the Department.
As a key component of risk assessment for import into Tasmania, conventional climate modelling was applied to compare the state’s environment with the species’ natural range in Brazil.
CLIMATCH revealed “extremely low” potential (no match) for suitable habitat across the entire state, indicating little or no probability that Golden lion tamarins could survive in the wild.
The risk assessment determined the Golden lion tamarin as moderately dangerous to humans, having a low establishment risk and with a low consequence of establishment. It was therefore proposed the species be assigned to a moderate threat category.
Following the initial risk assessment, the Department considers permitting the importation of animals assessed as ‘moderate risk’ into the State as long as appropriate mitigation measures, enforced through a wildlife exhibition licence, can be identified and applied.
Mitigation options to reduce the risk associated with importing Golden lion tamarin could include:
- Limiting importation to registered wildlife parks or zoos to ensure the holding facility meets the stringent keeping standards Tasmania applies to all institutions,
- Require any wildlife park or zoo to submit a Golden lion tamarin species management plan (including enclosure details) prior to import; and
- Require wildlife exhibition facility licenc eholders to clearly demonstrate they have proficient keepers for the species.
Golden lion tamarin Risk Assessment (PDF 132Kb)