Six tamarin monkeys die at Oregon Zoo shortly after arrival, cause unknown

Faster Extinctions

This handout photo, taken Dec. 2012, in Brazil, provided by Stuart Pimm, Duke University, shows a baby golden lion tamarin, a relative of the cotton-topped tamarin. (AP Photo/Stuart Pimm, Duke University)

(Stuart Pimm/Duke University)

This story has been updated to reflect a change: Zoo spokesman Hova Najarian clarified the monkeys were found Saturday afternoon, not Sunday morning as we were told by Metro spokesperson Jim Middaugh.

Six cotton-topped tamarin monkeys died of unknown causes in quarantine at the Oregon Zoo over the weekend.

The monkeys were found dead by veterinary staff Saturday afternoon, just two days after arriving at the zoo May 22, said zoo spokesperson Hova Najarian.

The tamarins, a species of small New World monkey, came to the zoo in a group of nine. The remaining three, including a 5-week-old baby, appear healthy and are being monitored closely.

All nine monkeys had been quarantined upon arrival because they were new to the zoo.

The necropsy results were inconclusive, Najarian said, and tissue samples have been submitted for a pathology report. Officials hope to hear back within a few weeks.

Metro spokesperson Jim Middaugh said the monkeys came from the east coast, but did not know what facility. He said the monkeys appeared healthy upon arrival, and the remaining three will live at the zoo.

The deaths come amidst turbulence at the zoo. Zoo director Kim Smith and veterinarian Mitch Finnegan were fired three weeks ago following an investigation that found sloppy mistakes in the treatment of Kutai, an orangutan who died in January, and gaps in transparency in the aftermath of Kutai's death.

We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.

-- Melissa Binder

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