Hot Lips left quite an impression in and around Emporia, according to David Traylor Zoo Director Brenda Young.
Hot Lips died last week at the age of 25. The Zoological Information Management System says Hot Lips was the second-longest-living tamarin born in a zoo setting, following a female tamarin that lived to age 27.
Cotton-top tamarins are native to northwest Colombia and are considered critically endangered, due to their tropical forest habitat being destroyed for several development purposes. Hot Lips did his part in preserving the species, fathering 13 offspring and becoming a grandfather to seven.
Plans for a new tamarin are being discussed. Young says the immediate goal is to give staff some time to process Hot Lips’ passing. She also says the zoo remains committed to conserving and preserving the species, and conversations are underway about potential additions or adjustments to the exhibit. There are also conversations about possible adjustments to the tamarin troop currently at the zoo, but Young says any adjustments would be based off guidance through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan.
9:30 am Monday: David Traylor Zoo’s Hot Lips, second-oldest cotton-top tamarin on record, dies at age 25
Longtime David Traylor Zoo resident Hot Lips has died.
Hot Lips, a cotton-top tamarin monkey, was born at the zoo in 2000 spent his entire life at the zoo before he passed away last week at the age of 25. Cotton-tops typically live around 10-14 years. The Zoological Information Management System says Hot Lips is the second-longest-living tamarin born in a zoo setting, following a female tamarin that lived to age 27.
Hot Lips did his part in preserving the species, fathering 13 offspring and becoming a grandfather to seven. Cotton-top tamarins are native to northwest Colombia and are considered critically endangered, due to their tropical forest habitat being destroyed for several development purposes.
Hot Lips had been retired from public exhibit recently due to his age. Zoo staff say they are grateful for the ongoing community support and they say Hot Lips’ “legacy will continue through the lives of his offspring and the awareness he helped raise for his species.”
