Infant Emperor Tamarin Twins At Racine Zoo Get Their Names

RACINE, WI — The Racine Zoo announced the results of a naming contest for its two new emperor tamarin twin girls on Wednesday.

One will be named Gabriella and the other will be named Gianna, the zoo announced. People were asked to help vote for the names, with the alternative options being Zarina and Zita or Caterina and Carmella.

The twin emperor tamarin infants were born to Amelie and Pitino at the zoo on Dec. 22. Gabriella and Gianna represent the fifth and sixth baby tamarins born to the pair. The Racine Zoo is one of just three that are currently breeding emperor tamarins with success, the zoo says on its website.

“We are so excited to welcome yet another generation of tamarins,” said Aszya Summers, curator of animal care and conservation education at the Racine Zoo, in a news release when the pair were born. “We are proud to be a part of the emperor tamarin Species Survival Plan, and our ability to continue to contribute to the sustainability of this species.”

Raising the tamarins has been a family affair, the zoo said, especially with twins. One may often find the two infants riding on the backs of their mother or father as they leap through branches, the zoo said.

Gabriella and Gianna's older siblings — Vinny, Valentino, Debby Lou and Mattessich — have been helping out with rearing the two young ones, helping them to gain valuable parenting experience of their own for when they hopefully start their own families, the zoo said.

The success of the Racine Zoo's emperor tamarin breeding program has led their primary primate specialist, Crystal Champeau, to become a part of the new world monkey Taxon Advisory Group, where she can serve as a resource to tamarin keepers around the world, the zoo said in a news release.

The Racine Zoo's tamarins can be visited at the Vanishing Kingdom Building at the Racine Zoo.

"Incredibly curious primates, they want to visit with you, too! As the babies grow, they will start to venture off their family members’ backs and wander the exhibit themselves!" the zoo's news release said.