Expanding The Los Titíes De San Juan Forest Reserve to Secure Habitat for the Endemic and Critically Endangered Cotton-Top Tamarin in Colombia

Cotton-top tamarins (Oedipomidas oedipus) are small primates, weighing just one pound, native to the tropical forests of northwest Colombia. Their survival is severely threatened by widespread deforestation and habitat fragmentation caused by cattle ranching, agriculture, urban development, and other human activities. Cotton-top tamarins are also targeted by the illegal pet trade, further threatening their population.

Fundación Proyecto Tití (FPT), a non-profit organization, is dedicated to securing a sustainable future for cotton-top tamarins and their forest habitat. FPT combines field research and forest conservation with environmental education and awareness programs, alongside conservation agreements with local communities to reduce the unsustainable use of forest resources. Over the past decade, FPT’s efforts have focused on protecting, restoring, and connecting the forests that cotton-top tamarins call home, employing a variety of strategies.

In 2015, FPT established the "Los Titíes de San Juan" forest reserve in San Juan Nepomuceno (Bolívar) by purchasing a 70-hectare property adjacent to the 1,000-hectare National Park Los Colorados. From 2015 to 2023, FPT acquired 12 additional properties, expanding the reserve to 480 hectares. The reserve is vital for connecting Los Colorados National Park with a network of forest corridors and community-protected areas, established through partnerships with local organizations and conservation agreements with farmers. These agreements ensure forest corridors are protected, with farmers receiving incentives to increase productivity and improve their livelihoods.

In 2022, FPT launched an ambitious fundraising campaign to purchase the neighboring 400-hectare cattle ranch, Santa Helena, which would nearly double the protected forest area. Thanks to generous supporters, the required funds were successfully raised by early 2024. The Quick Response Fund for Nature (QRFN) and Stichting Otterfonds contributed $45,000 USD towards this effort, enabling the purchase. The process began on April 15, 2024, with the signing of the land purchase agreement, and concluded on August 27, 2024, when the titles were officially transferred to FPT.

The next challenge for FPT is to restore the former cattle ranch areas within Santa Helena, reviving the forest for cotton-top tamarins, local wildlife, and the well-being of surrounding communities. FPT is exploring sustainable financial mechanisms, such as carbon credits, to support long-term forest restoration and management.

FPT’s conservation efforts have also provided significant benefits to local communities. The organization currently employs 17 permanent staff for field activities and hires 10-15 local farmers each year to assist during the restoration planting season (3-4 months). Additionally, FPT engages local service providers for transportation, supplies, and meals, contributing to the local economy. The expansion of the reserve and restoration efforts will create more job opportunities, further engaging local communities in wildlife and forest conservation, which is crucial for securing a future for the world’s cutest monkeys.

To learn more about this project, watch this two-minute video narrated by Rosamira Guillen, Executive Director of Fundación Proyecto Tití:

Written by Rosamira Guillen (Fundación Proyecto Tití) and edited by Sanjiv Fernando (QRFN).