The painting “Fire Mane” was brought about by a trip to the national zoo during the summer of 2006. There I saw the Golden-Headed Lion Tamarin. This squirrel sized monkey is severely endangered, as they only live in the eastern coastal rainforests of Brazil. Most of their habitat is destroyed due to deforestation. They are also illegally captured and hunted for the pet trade or for laboratory testing. They live in small families started with a single mating pair. Pairs mate for life and the family consists of recent offspring that will either head out on their own or stay to raise the next young to be born. As families they are small in number, usually from six to ten individuals, very devoted, and gentle as they are rarely aggressive. Sadly, only an estimated 200 Golden-Headed Lion Tamarins exist in the wild. Zoos are currently helping the specie with breeding programs that may one day help these wonderful creatures return to the wild where they should be. They are beautiful animals, and they deserve all the help they can get. “Fire Mane” 16x20 inch canvas. Acrylic. © Cara Bevan