Recovery and management committees for Lion Tamarins: Partnerships in conservation planning and implementation

Abstract

Four international recovery and management committees act as official technical advisory to the Brazilian federal environmental agency-the Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renovaveis-with respect to the conservation and management of both the in situ and ex situ populations of the endangered lion tamarins (Leontopithecus). The committees promote lion tamarins as 'flagship' species. The ultimate intent being the preservation of the unique Atlantic rain forest (Mata Atlantica) ecosystem and its many endemic plants and animals. We summarize the history, organization, structure, and functioning of these oversight management committees and their current role in guiding, motivating, and focusing conservation efforts for the Mata Atlantica of Brazil and the four endangered Leontopithecus species therein. We discuss the role of science in conservation planning for the species, funding mechanism, the decision-making process, conflicts and their resolution, and criteria used for evaluating success. The benefits of this particular species recovery process include the establishment of collaborative partnerships between the Brazilian government and a multitude of individuals and organizations and the use of multidisciplinary, semi-autonomous teams to implement conservation activities. The major limitation of the management committees is their lack of a formal budget and permanent staff.