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Writer's pictureLeonardo Merçon

The White-faced Marmosets: Treasures of Espírito Santo

A Personal Connection with White-faced Marmosets


From a very young age, my life has always been intertwined with nature.

As a native of Espírito Santo (Brazil), I grew up fascinated by the state's rich biodiversity, including the small white-faced marmosets, a species of monkey, which are a constant presence in our forests at lower altitudes, and sometimes even outside them.




For the people of Espírito Santo, these primates are common, but their range is quite limited, making them rare (or even non-existent) in other regions of Brazil.


They spread throughout Espírito Santo and extend slightly into the borders of Minas Gerais, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro (states arround Espírito Santo).



This unique characteristic makes them a potential symbol of our state.


Species of Marmosets in Espírito Santo


In Espírito Santo, we have three species of marmosets: the white-faced marmoset, the buffy-tufted marmoset, and the common marmoset.



Each has its own characteristics and adaptations. I love encountering all of them in nature.


My First Experience with Marmosets


In the 1980s, it was common to find white-faced marmosets being sold at city fairs (ilegal wildlife trafic).


Environmental awareness was not as widespread. We were ignorant of the fragility of our ecosystems.


And I am not ashamed of it, as environmental laws were just starting to be enforced and awareness initiatives were few.


That said, about 40 years ago, my parents, wanting to make me and my brother happy, bought two white-faced marmosets at the city fair.


At the time, this was more frequent than I like to remember. An abominable practice, which I didn't have the knowledge or empathy to understand how serious it was.


We kept the poor creatures for some time, but upon discovering that it was wrong, we released them into a natural area of a friend (the news was that they survived, although the damage was already done).


This experience was a turning point for me, as I realized that loving nature is very different from respecting it.


I loved animals, like those marmosets, but I realized we hadn't respected them.


From then on, my respect for the environment began to develop gradually. Understanding that love and respect must go hand in hand. And I still have a lot to evolve.


The Symbolism of the White-faced Marmoset


After this episode, the white-faced marmoset species gained personally significant meaning.


It represents the transformation that can occur when people are sensitized and informed about the importance of conservation.


Photographic Adventures


Over my 20-year career as a nature photographer, I've had several opportunities to photograph these marmosets in different situations.


Each encounter is a new discovery, and I always strive to capture their images with the utmost respect and admiration.


One of the most amusing photos I managed to take was of a white-faced marmoset sticking out its tongue at me.

It was feeding, but the photo coincidentally caught the exact moment its tongue was out, making it look like it was making a face at me.


This happened at Fonte Grande Municipal Park, in Vitória-ES, and this image always brings smiles to the children with whom I work on environmental awareness.


Another type of capture that I find fascinating is that of marmoset families.

It is common to see parents carrying their adorable babies on their backs. This family behavior is charming and shows the dedication of marmosets to their young. They always make for great photos.

Unfortunately, I have also taken sad images, such as those of marmosets that were run over by cars.


This is a serious problem our urban fauna face. We need to find solutions to prevent these accidents, such as not building roads in conservation priority areas.


And when that is not possible, provide mitigating measures, such as the construction of suitable and safe passages for wildlife.


The Importance of Conservation


To me, these small primates are a treasure of Espírito Santo, capable of enchanting children and adults with their curious and charismatic behavior.


It is common to find them in urban areas, where they have adapted to human presence.


They often approach seeking food.


But be aware, although it may seem harmless, this practice alters the animals' natural behavior, and we can transmit diseases to them.



The discussion is extensive about the parallels between the harms this practice causes and the benefits generated by sensitizing children by allowing them to interact with the little monkeys. Personally, I loved it!


But in any case, if you see someone feeding these animals, advise them to be careful, avoiding direct contact with the food (not giving food already bitten by humans and also avoiding direct contact with hands).


I've heard reports of entire bands being wiped out by herpes outbreaks, for example.


An External Perspective


An interesting situation happened when friends from the Amazon came to Espírito Santo with the desire to see and photograph these little primates that only occur in the region.

This made me realize even more the value of these animals and increased my admiration for them.


Protecting Our Treasures


The beauty and uniqueness of white-faced marmosets are true treasures that we need to value and protect.


They can very well be considered one of the symbols of Espírito Santo and should be a source of pride for all of us.


I invite everyone to learn more about these incredible primates and respect them as they deserve.


If you are from Espírito Santo, share this wonder of our state with your friends. If you are from other places, come to visit Espírito Santo and be enchanted by our natural beauties. 💚


Comment, like, and share this content. Your support is essential to keep MY conservation flame alive and show the world the importance of protecting our biodiversity.


I hope you enjoyed this story. See you in the next ADVENTURE! 😉👍


...


Nature photographer and cinematographer, founder of Instituto Últimos Refúgios, Master in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development, passionate about the environment! Join me on this incredible journey of wildlife discoveries and see more beautiful stories as I constantly explore nature.


 




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