Latest news with #Febe
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Rare monkey twins born at Cornwall zoo
Rare monkey twins have been born at Newquay Zoo in Cornwall. The cotton-top tamarins, native to the forests of northern Colombia, are classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with fewer than 2,000 in the wild. The infants, born to first-time parents Febe, two, and Santiago, three, are each roughly the weight of a chicken egg at birth. They were delivered earlier this month and are being closely monitored by zoo staff, marking a significant step in the conservation of the species. Cotton-top tamarins are distinguished by a distinctive crest of white hair, which stands on end when the animals are excited or alarmed. In their natural habitat, they live in close-knit social groups that share responsibility for raising young, with multiple group members assisting in the rearing of offspring – a behaviour regarded as critical to infant survival. Emma Sweetland, a senior animal keeper, said: 'These twins are not just adorable additions to our zoo family, they represent a vital step forward in the fight against species extinction.' 'It's incredibly special to see Febe and Santiago co-parenting so naturally. Their attentiveness is heart-warming, and these births are a significant milestone for the conservation of this critically endangered species.' Cotton-top tamarins have been severely affected by habitat loss, driven by deforestation and urban expansion in Colombia. Conservation efforts have focused on captive breeding programmes and habitat protection initiatives aimed at preserving the remaining wild populations. The twins are part of an international breeding programme designed to support the long-term survival of the species. Newquay Zoo participates in coordinated efforts across zoological institutions to maintain genetic diversity and raise awareness of the tamarin's scarcity. Zoo visitors will be able to see the infants clinging to their parents over the coming weeks. The births are regarded as an important contribution to conservation work for one of the world's most threatened primates. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.


BBC News
03-05-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Rare primate twins being co-parented at Newquay Zoo
A pair of critically-endangered primates were born at a Cornish zoo last month, keepers have twin cotton-top tamarins were born at Newquay Zoo to first-time parents Febe, 2, and Santiago, 3 who moved there in 2023, and have taken on co-parenting duties, the zoo species is native to northern Colombia and among the most at-risk primates in the world with fewer than 2,000 individuals believed to live in the wild. Senior animal keeper Emma Sweetland said: "These twins are not just adorable additions to our zoo family, they represent a vital step forward in the fight against species extinction." The palm-sized twins each weighed about the same as a chicken egg at birth. Ms Sweetland said: "It's incredibly special to see Febe and Santiago co-parenting so naturally. "Their attentiveness is heart-warming, and these births are a significant milestone for the conservation of this critically endangered species."In the wild, cotton-top tamarins live in "tightly-bonded social groups where the care of young is a shared responsibility" known as cooperative care, the zoo tamarins are named after their crown of fluffy white hair which stands on end when they get are listed as critically endangered - the most at-risk category - on the Red List, a list of the conservation status of all species compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).