Disney celebrates the ‘punk rock primate’ this month

This is Cotton-Top Tamarin Month at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

This tiny, endangered primate is found only in Colombia, but have been on exhibit at the  Animal Kingdom since 1998.

A Disney publicity photo of a cotton-top tamarin

“We created this celebration as a way to highlight the effects that humans have on natural habitats,” said Anne Savage, Conservation Director for Disney’s Animal Programs, in a news release. “Conservation celebrations are important because it helps people of all ages understand and appreciate these amazing animals and learn what it takes to protect them for future generations.”

Sometimes called the “punk rock primates” because of their wild manes of white hair that outline their black faces, guests to the Animal Kingdom will be able to participate in a variety of activities from learning how scientists track tamarins in the forest, what cotton-tops like to eat, and how people in Colombia are helping to recycling plastic bags into amazing tote bags called eco-mochilas, according to Disney.

You can see the cotton-tops in Discovery Island in a habitat in front of the Tree of Life and also at Rafiki’s Planet Watch in Habitat Habit!, the wildlife trail between the Wildlife Express Train and Conservation Station.