Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo Announces the Passing of Cricket, a Female Golden Lion Tamarin

​BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – March 7, 2024 – The family at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is saddened to announce the passing of Cricket, a female golden lion tamarin. Cricket was 6 years old and passed immediately following an unviable birth.
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In accordance with standard practices and procedures, the post-mortem examination was conducted on-site, samples were dispatched for further testing.

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“Cricket will be deeply missed by her family of caretakers here at the Zoo. We were so fortunate to have her for the past 5 years,” said Zoo Director Gregg Dancho. “It was almost a year ago that Cricket had the successful birth of a baby tamarin right here in our care. It has truly been our honor to have known her.”

About Golden Lion Tamarins
Considered the most beautiful of the four tamarin species, the golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia) is named for the thick mane of hair around their necks, reminiscent of the great cats of Africa. Golden lion tamarins live primarily in the trees. They sleep in hollows at night and forage by day while traveling from branch to branch. Once down to 200 individuals in the wild and on the brink of extinction, intensive conservation efforts helped the population recover.
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About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo
Connecticut’s only zoo, celebrating 102 years, features 350 animals representing primarily North and South American and Northern Asian species. Guests won’t want to miss our Andean bear, maned wolves, Mexican gray wolves, and red wolves. Other highlights include our Spider Monkey Habitat, and a new prairie dog exhibit that we’ll cut the ribbon on soon! As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and participant in its Species Survival Plan (SSP) programs, the non-profit Zoo is committed to the preservation of endangered animals and wild habitats. Tickets must be purchased on the Zoo’s website at beardsleyzoo.org.