They are concentrated in this area of the coast because it is bordered by a long stretch of the Atlantic rainforest. Thanks to the cultivation of cacau, the area was spared much of the total devastation of other areas of rainforest, because the cacau needs shade to grow. Their habitat is the middle canopy of the forest, eating fruit, large insects and small animal prey. Development, for industry, human habitation, plantations, lumber, cattle, has resulted in a loss of more than 90% of this type of habitat. Recently a highway was built from Itacaré to Itaparica, which cut a swath through more lion tamarin territory. There are crossings for them, rope ladders, in effect monkey bars, across the road every few kilometers or so. Michelin has a preserve along the way, near Itubara, where the monkeys have a chance to live in peace. In Una there is a preserve that was established in 1980 for the protection of the species. Thanks to extensive conservation efforts there is more attention to the protection of habitat, and a growing awareness of the delicate situation of this marvelous little animal.
Antonio Pigafetta, the Jesuit who chronicled the voyage of Magellan around the world described them as "beautiful simian like cats similar to small lions." My small lion like cat, Platin, loves the hunt, but he is not a killer. He likes to sit under the trees and watch the catlike monkeys dance and shriek. They are there many mornings, attacking the termite nests and the ripe mangoes high up in the gigantic old tree.
