Chester Zoo Announces Birth of ‘Exceptionally Rare’ Twin Tamarin Monkeys
England's Chester Zoo recently shared the exciting news of the birth of two cotton-top tamarin monkeys, and they are too cute! ABC News shared a video of the little ones on Monday, August 12th, and they're absolutely adorable. They are being called 'exceptionally rare' because they are a critically endangered species.
In the video, we see the twins with their mom and dad, who keep them both close at all times. The babies are part of the tamarin troop at the zoo (it's home to 8 cotton-top tamarins) and the zoo said the babies are healthy and growing quickly; they seem to fit right in with the others. Watch on to see the little ones ride on their mom and dad's backs and explore their new world!
I could watch them all day! They look so fluffy and soft, and I'd love to pet them! ABC News commenters all left the same comment for the most part, and that was to say how cute and adorable the babies are. I couldn't agree more! Mike Jordan, the Animal and Plant Director at the Chester Zoo said, "It’s wonderful to see two tiny babies clinging to mum Treat and dad Leo as they leap from tree to tree." I love that dad's helping out, too!
Related: The 'Circle of Life' Continues with Baby Tamarins Born at Disney World's Animal Kingdom
Facts About Critically Endangered Cotton-Top Tamarin Monkeys
Tamarins are small monkeys, with adults weighing on average 15 ounces with a body length of 8-10 inches. When the twins were born, they were tiny...literally! They weighed about 1-1/2 ounces and were just shy of 4 inches long from head to the end of their tails, and zookeepers compared them to the size of a golf ball!
Tamarins are known for their unique appearance. The Smithsonian National Zoo says, "Their signature white mane hairstyle is fashionable and functional. When on alert, these monkeys will raise the hair on their heads in an attempt to look larger."
Chesire Live shared this cool fact, "Cotton-top tamarins use a sophisticated system of facial expressions and more than 38 different vocalizations to communicate and defend their territory, call their young, and warn the family group of predators."
The Smithsonian also shared this sad news about the species, "Cotton-top tamarins are one of the most endangered species of primates in the world. Threats to their survival include deforestation, habitat degradation and capture for the illegal pet trade."
Mike Jordan of the Chester Zoo explained that the twins' arrival is really important for the species. "They’re exceptionally rare as more than 80% of their wild population has been wiped out in the last two decades alone. Only a few years ago, it was reported that around 6,000 of these charismatic monkeys remained in the wild, but right now numbers have hit an all-time low at just 2,000." He added, ""This severe reduction in their population has meant that our conservation breeding program, coordinated with other major international zoos, is providing an increasingly vital lifeline for the species, as we look to establish a thriving population for the future.”
Jordan explained that the babies are too tiny right now for zookeepers to confidently determine the sex of the babies, but that they'll know in a few months' time. I'll be watching for more news about the little ones; I can't wait to watch them grow and explore on their own!
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