with the presence of golden lion tamarins in more threatened atlantic forest areas, the relocation of these animals into the area started in the early 1990s. it was then only a matter of time before the natural evolution towards the status of biological reserve would occur.

nowadays the reserve is home to a collection of other endangered species besides the golden lion tamarin including the ocelot, three-toed sloth and the otter. in addition, the reserve contains a large number of bird species of which a number are currently on the endangered list, including the chauá parrot and araponga - although not open to the general public, visits as part of an educational or scientific program are welcomed and encouraged.

in fact, the reserve has state of the art and handicapped accessible facilities aimed at scientific and educational groups including computers and internet, a restaurant, sleeping accommodations and a center used for meeting, lectures and training. there is also interpretative trail which chronicles the story and importance of the atlantic forest.