Endangered spider monkey and panda arrive at zoo
A female red panda, an endangered species, and a female brown spider monkey, a critically endangered species, have been transported from zoos in France to the Devon site.
Brown spider monkeys were added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List in 2020 because their populations in Columbia and Venezuela were declining due to the pet trade and habitat destruction.
The IUCN said it believed there were fewer than 10,000 mature red pandas in the wild after their habitats in China had been destroyed.
The panda will join a female called Ember while the spider monkey will join a troop consisting of females Luna and Lena and male Kikou.
Zookeepers said the monkey would initially remain off-show to visitors while the primates were introduced.
Mammal keeper at Paignton Zoo James Shora said: "The red pandas offer those quieter, more contemplative moments, while the spider monkeys bring incredible dynamic energy from the forest canopies of South America.
"It's like having two completely different worlds side by side."
The red panda came from Les Terres de Natae, Pont-Scorff and the brown spider monkey from Zoo Amiens Métropole.
More news stories for Devon
Listen to the latest news for Devon
Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@bbc.co.uk.
Devon zoo announces arrival of red panda cubs
Escapee panda wanders round Newquay
New rules make it harder to keep primates as pets
IUCN Red List
Paignton Zoo
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Harry & Charles May Be Reuniting Earlier After Report the King's Health Is ‘Deteriorating More' Each Day
King Charles and Prince Harry have been said to be on the road to reconciliation. But ever since reports that top aides for the two met, there has been a question of what exactly that means and what the timeframe for a meeting would be. Now, recent reports indicate a face-to-face meeting between the two could come sooner rather than later. After all, Prince Harry is set to visit the U.K. in September because of his duties as patron of WellChild, according to Us Weekly. This makes a meeting at least geographically possible. The last time the two are believed to have seen each other in person was in February 2024, right after the King announced his cancer diagnosis. Prince Harry has since returned to the U.K. but has reportedly not met with his father. More from StyleCaster Where Diana Would Have Stood in Harry & William's 'Profound' Feud After Reports the Heir 'F-ing Hates' His Brother The 1 Meghan-Related Ultimatum Charles Gave Harry Before Agreeing to Reconcile-'This Is About Father & Son' Related: Here's what each royal inherited from Queen Elizabeth The likelihood of a meeting, which just a few months ago seemed almost impossible, has grown since King Charles and Prince Harry's senior aides held a secret meeting recently. The meeting was believed to be the first step towards reconciliation for father and son. 'There's a long road ahead, but a channel of communication is now open for the first time in years,' said a source. 'There was no formal agenda, just casual drinks. There were things both sides wanted to talk about.' People reported that 'this kind of dialogue hasn't taken place in the recent past—and now, lines of communication appear to be reopening,' adding that, 'It's a positive step,' and that, 'There's optimism that it can be taken forward.' But does that mean the two are ready to meet next month? Prince Harry said in a BBC interview a few months ago, 'I would love reconciliation with my family,' adding that, 'There's no point continuing to fight anymore. Life is precious. I don't know how much longer my father has. He won't speak to me because of this security stuff [the Sussex family is entitled to in the U.K.], but it would be nice to reconcile.' That last part has, of course, changed. And it might even change for Prince William, too. Recent reports indicated Prince William wanted nothing to do with his brother. The Daily Beast reported that, according to a friend of William, 'He absolutely f—ing hates' Harry. That same source revealed that, 'William will never, ever forgive Harry for what he has done. Charles is the king; he can do what he likes. But make no mistake: William believes with every fiber of his being that giving Harry and Meghan back any royal imprimatur is a huge mistake.' The one thing that could change everything? King Charles' health. A source told Parade that concern about their father might bring the two together. 'King Charles really isn't doing well,' the insider said about the King, adding that his health has been 'deteriorating more.' 'It wouldn't be surprising if William and Harry reconnected a bit more over this,' the source added. 'This could be the thing that pushes it to happen.' Whether it's just Prince Harry and King Charles or Prince William is involved, the fact is that there's a perfect opportunity for a meeting coming soon. Now we'll just have to see if they take it. Best of StyleCaster The 26 Best Romantic Comedies to Watch if You Want to Know What Love Feels Like These 'Bachelor' Secrets & Rules Prove What Happens Behind the Scenes Is So Much Juicier BTS's 7 Members Were Discovered in the Most Unconventional Ways Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Witney community service serves more than 2,000 meals
A weekly community service in Witney has served more than 2,000 meals since its launch in 2023. Witney Community Meal Service welcomes people every Thursday from 5pm to 6pm at High Street Methodist Church. The initiative, supported by Oxfordshire County Council's Connected Communities Fund, provides free meals to those in need while also tackling social isolation. A £1,500 Connected Communities Fund grant is helping organisers to sustain weekly sessions, offering a space for shared meals and meaningful volunteering. Adam Noble, who helps run the initiative, said: "This funding has been a lifeline. "It's allowed us to keep the doors open and continue offering a space where people can share a meal and feel part of something bigger." The meal service brings together a diverse mix of people, including older residents, adults with additional needs, refugees, carers, and families. Long tables aim to encourage conversation and help attendees to build relationships. Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet member for adult social care, said: "Witney Community Meal Service shows how small grants can spark big change. "It's about more than just food. It's about dignity, connection, and community resilience." The Connected Communities Fund is managed by Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action and Community First Oxfordshire. Anyone interested in joining the community meal, either as a diner or a volunteer, is invited every Thursday at High Street Methodist Church in Witney.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Locals seek permanent home for mischievous peacock
Concerned residents are trying to find a permanent home for a mischievous peacock who has been terrorising their rural community. Percy, as he has been named, first appeared in Marlborough, Wiltshire, in May and has since been spotted lounging on roofs and chomping on residents' vegetables. In addition to disrupting sleep with his "raucous" squawk, he has wreaked havoc on the local ecosystem by challenging cats and pigeons that stray into his territory. Despite the publicity, local Christine Mercer says no one has come forward to claim him, and she fears he may be stuck outside for the cold winter months ahead. More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire Residents have tried various tactics to find him a home, including approaching wildlife groups, which declined to help as he is not a native bird. "He's been here since May and if he stays another three months it starts to get really cold," Ms Mercer said. "We don't know what peacocks do in the winter." In the meantime, neighbours have set up a group chat to alert each other to Percy's movements. He is known to have pecked on their doors and windows in what are deemed to be attempts to find food. 'Mixed blessings' "He's still around," Ms Mercer said. "We keep thinking he might disappear but then he's back again. "No one has come forward to claim him and he's got no ring on his leg, so we can't identify where he may have come from. "We've sort of got mixed blessings here. Some are fond of him, some want to see the back of him." Ms Mercer says two more peacocks have since been spotted nearby, sparking rumours there may be a roost close at hand. "Whether or not they are breeding in the wild somewhere and coming into the town, we just don't know. They'll be spreading all over Wiltshire soon," she laughed. Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. More on this story Raucous peacock ravages town's veg patches
