The golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia) came to symbolize both Atlantic Forest conservation crisis and success. By the 1970s, fewer than 200 individuals survived. Coordinated efforts by the Smithsonian Institution, Brazilian conservation organizations, and global zoos implementing a Species Survival Plan resulted in population recovery to approximately 3,200 individuals — split between wild forest fragments and zoo populations available for reintroduction.
Welfare considerations in the recovery program include: translocation stress during reintroductions, predation pressure on zoo-raised animals unfamiliar with forest predators, and welfare monitoring of released individuals. The program includes predator awareness training before release. This is one of conservation's great welfare-attentive recovery success stories.
Northern and southern muriquis (Brachyteles hypoxanthus and B. arachnoides) are the Americas' largest primates. Critically endangered with fewer than 1,000 northern muriquis remaining. These peaceful, egalitarian primates live in the Atlantic Forest fragments and are highly vulnerable to habitat loss from their requirement for large unbroken forest areas. Karen Strier's decades-long muriqui research project at Caratinga has generated fundamental knowledge about muriqui ecology, behavior, and welfare needs.
The Atlantic Forest's fragmentation means wildlife must navigate a matrix of agricultural land and urban areas. Wildlife corridor projects — strips of restored forest connecting fragments — are central to welfare and conservation strategy. The Central Corridor of the Atlantic Forest aims to connect Serra da Mantiqueira with Serra do Mar, enabling genetic exchange and movement for jaguars, tapirs, and other species. Crossing roads safely remains a critical welfare challenge; underpasses and rope bridges for arboreal species (like primates) are installed at key locations.
Brazil's Forest Code (Código Florestal) requires private landowners to restore native vegetation on a portion of their land. Atlantic Forest restoration — though complex and long-term — directly improves wildlife welfare by providing habitat. Organizations like SOS Mata Atlântica and Reserva Natural Vale work on large-scale restoration. Planted forest fragments initially lack the structural complexity for many specialist species but provide refuge and corridors for generalists.