Castanheiras Pied Tamarin Wildlife Refuge

The Castanheiras Pied Tamarin Wildlife Refuge (Refúgio da Vida Silvestre Sauim Castanheiras), formerly Castanheiras Pied Tamarin Ecological Reserve, is a wildlife refuge in the municipality of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. It was created in 1982 to protect a colony of pied tamarins.

Foundation
The Reserva Ecológica de Sauim-Castanheiras was created by Presidential Decree 87.455 on 12 August 1982 with an area of 109.2 ha. The reserve was located in the Industrial District on the outskirts of the Manaus Free Zone. The purpose was to protect populations of pied tamarins (Sauim, Saguinus bicolor) and Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa).

The wildlife refuge today occupies 95 ha. From 2001 it was managed by the Municipal Office of the Environment and Sustainability (Secretaria Municipal de Meio Ambiente e Sustentabilidade, Semmas) for the Manaus Prefecture. It became part of the Central Amazon Ecological Corridor, established in 2002. The refuge has access roads, administrative buildings, a kitchen for food preparation for animals, an autopsy building, a veterinary centre with inpatient rehabilitation structures and grounds.

Activities
The wildlife refuge contains a Wild Animal Screening Centre (CETAS) and an Animal Rescue Service. These help wild animals that are threatened by risks such as habitat loss, domestic abuse, accidents and other problems. A veterinarian examines the animal and treats it if necessary. Where practical it is restored to nature. Otherwise it may be allocated to a zoo or other institution. The refuge is not open to the public.