Brazil forest fire threatens rare monkey
Date: 28-Aug-02
Country: BRAZIL
The spokesman said some 3,210 acres (1,300 hectares) of the 12,360-acre (5,000 hectare) reserve in Rio de Janeiro state had been ravaged by the fire that began on Saturday, adding that 110 firefighters were battling the blaze.
"The situation continues to be critical and the strong winds are hampering our fight," he said.
The fire had scorched an area of low-lying brush and turf in the reserve 80 miles (130 km) northeast of the city of Rio de Janeiro, but most animals were still safe.
Named for their bright lion-like manes, golden lion tamarin monkeys are among the world's rarest mammals, with only about 1,000 estimated to be living in the wild in or around Poco das Antas. They usually weigh about one pound (0.5 kg).