By Adam Dutton via SWNS
A cute baby monkey with bright orange fur has been born at a UK zoo in a major boost for the endangered species.
Keepers at Twycross Zoo, Leics., have welcomed the birth of a Francois’ langur – a
monkey with an estimated population of 2,500 in the wild.
Baby Francois’ Langurs are born with distinctive orange fur which changes color to black as they grow up.
The exciting arrival comes just weeks after the birth of another François’ langur infant and brings the number in the zoo’s troop to nine.
The latest arrival has been pictured inside its enclosure at the zoo hugging its proud mother.
Twycross zookeeper Kelly Salisbury said the team was “incredibly excited” by the births of the monkeys, which are cousins.
Senior curator at the zoo Lynsey Bugg, said: “We’re delighted to announce the birth of another François’ langur.
“With wild populations of François’ langurs continuing to decline, the addition of
another newborn to our troop is a welcome sign of hope for ongoing efforts to preserve and protect this endangered species.
“To welcome a new addition to our troop of François’ langurs so soon after the last one is incredibly exciting.
“When we announced the first arrival, visitors flocked to catch a glimpse of our new bright orange infant and now they’ll be able to see the two endangered juveniles together — which doesn’t happen very often.
“With warmer weather on the way, it’s the perfect time for guests to come and see our newest additions, learn more about this endangered species, and discover all our other animals too.
“Now that the duo are a little older, visitors might spot them starting to explore away from their mothers and practicing their jumping and climbing skills.”
The infant was born as part of a European Endangered Species Breeding Programme (EEP), an internationally coordinated conservation initiative that aims to boost the numbers of species that are threatened in the wild.
Conservationists estimate there are only 2,500 of these primates left in the wild as the species faces threats from illegal hunting for their meat and for traditional medicinal purposes.
