The rare and endangered white monkey that was born recently. (Paignton Zoo via SWNS)
By Lauren Beavis
A rare and endangered white monkey has been born at a zoo - in an 'important contribution to international conservation goals'.
The king colobus infant was born to Ivy, 23, in the early hours of Sunday (1 February) at Paignton Zoo, in the United Kingdom.
The zoo is celebrating a 'rare double baby boom' - as the new infant joins Limba, another young king colobus born at the zoo last autumn.
King colobus monkeys are classified as Endangered - with wild populations declining due to habitat loss and bushmeat hunting across parts of West Africa, where the species lives in forested areas.
The king colobus infant was born to Ivy, 23, in the early hours of Sunday, Feb. 1. (Paignton Zoo via SWNS)
Forest clearance for agriculture, settlements and resource use continues to reduce the space available for these monkeys in the wild.
Nadia Gould, Team Leader of Mammals at Paignton Zoo, said: “We are incredibly proud to be part of a wider breeding programme that helps protect species like the king colobus.
"These births are the result of careful planning and years of collaboration between zoos, all with the aim of safeguarding the future of these animals.”
The newborn, with her bright white coat, can be seen clinging closely to Ivy in the Monkey Heights exhibit.
King colobus monkeys are born entirely white and as they grow, their coloring gradually changes.
King colobus monkeys are classified as Endangered - with wild populations declining due to habitat loss and bushmeat hunting across parts of West Africa, where the species lives in forested areas.(Paignton Zoo via SWNS)
Ivy is also mother to Lola, who gave birth to Limba in October, a pattern that is common in primate species where different generations often raise young at the same time.
Both babies were sired by Limbali, an unrelated male introduced to the group as part of a managed breeding programme.
Limbali sadly died just weeks before Limba’s birth, making the recent arrivals particularly poignant for the animal care team.
Nadia Gould, Team Leader of Mammals at Paignton Zoo, added: “Having three babies in Monkey Heights at the same time has brought such a lovely energy to the zoo.
"Seeing visitors’ reactions when they spot them is always a highlight, and it gives us a great opportunity to talk about how endangered these species are and why breeding programmes like this are so important.”