CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Chattanooga Zoo recently welcomed two very special animals that are known to be critically endangered. The zoo is celebrating the birth of Pied Tamarins.
The primates are only found in a small area of the Brazilian Rainforest and have been considered endangered because of habitat destruction as a nearby port city expands. Unfortunately, this means they could go extinct in a matter of decades.
Having the birth is very special for Chattanooga as they're one of six zoos with this species, giving them around 25% of the U.S. pied tamarin population.
Their parents names are Daphne and Dudley and Zoo staff members want your help to name the babies. They've narrowed down potential names to three pairs: Appa & Momo, Apple & Cherry or Merry & Pippin
The winner will be announced in mid-November. A link to vote can be found here.
My friend and colleague Carrie Sharp had a lot of fun last week, on an adventure to a country more than three thousand miles away! She’s back now – sharing her Adventures in Iceland through stories, and incredible images of this remarkably beautiful and unique island nation (kudos to Chief Photographer Catherine Steward)! But did you know Nashville has something very important in common with Iceland? Tourism! Here, Carrie explains how a volcanic eruption decades ago helped save the country’s economy from collapse!
-Rhori Johnston
