Golden Lion Tamarin Baby Dies At Smithsonian’s National Zoo

WASHINGTON, DC — One of the golden lion tamarin infants born at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo last week died Wednesday morning, zookeepers announced.

It appears that the baby fell off one of its parents, a statement from the zoo said.

An animal autopsy, or necropsy, may provide more information on the infant's death.

"Golden lion tamarins have high infant-mortality rates, with approximately half of infants dying before they reach 1 year old," the statement said. "It is not uncommon for tamarin babies to accidentally fall off their parents while traversing branches. "

SEE RELATED: 2 Golden Lion Tamarins Born At National Zoo

The two golden lion tamarins were born to first-time parents Mo and Izzy on Friday.

The Zoo’s habitat for the golden lion tamarins is designed especially for a family group with infants, but keepers took additional steps to create a baby-friendly exhibit—including draining pools, turning off waterfall features and limiting noise and unfamiliar staff in the habitat.

Visitors can see the golden lion tamarin family and the Zoo’s other pair of golden lion tamarins, Diogo and Julie, in the Small Mammal House every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

(Photo via National Zoo)