Keepers at Chester Zoo recently celebrated a landmark event. In a first for the 94-year-old conservation charity, a pair of rare coppery titi monkeys have become proud parents of a golf ball-sized new-born.
The arrival of the latest addition to the zoo was discovered when keepers performed checks in the early morning and saw the tiny monkey clinging to a parent.
Coppery titi monkeys dwell in the South American rainforests, where they serve a critical role in spreading seeds, promoting plant and tree health. Sadly, the species’ numbers are dropping due to deforestation, the prohibited pet trade and hunting activities.
One of the most intriguing things about the monkey species is how dads play a pivotal role when young are raised. While mums nurse new-borns, dads handle most of the carrying.
When fully grown, the new resident will stand about 30 centimetres tall. Keepers are waiting to identify the sex of the little monkey and will then name it.
The successful birth at Chester Zoo is part of a global conservation breeding programme committed to protecting Coppery titi monkeys. The species are easily distinguishable by their signature bushy tails and vibrant red fur, and build strong bonds with a single partner, mating for life.
Visitors from Chester and beyond coming to the zoo can now see the new-born with his parents Ned and Scout, who first arrived at the attraction in March this year.
Chester Zoo is simple to find just a short drive from the centre of Chester.