By Faye Mayern via SWNS
An adorable two-week-old baby monkey has been caught on camera cuddling up to its dad.
The “very timid and shy” baby coppery titi monkey was born at Colchester Zoo, in Essex, on June 13.
Cute photos show the youngster, not yet named or sexed, snuggling on top of its dad’s head and yawning while nestled along his back.
The baby monkey was born to first-time parents mom, Copper, and dad, Lewis who are said to be doing “well” and are “adapting to parenthood”.
A spokesperson for the zoo said: “Copper and Lewis are proving to be fantastic first-time parents, both being very attentive to their infant and each other.
“The little one is very strong and active, climbing all over its dad’s head but Lewis is being a very patient father.”
Copper carried the baby for a gestation period of about 132 days, but it will be Lewis which cares and carries the baby from now on, only giving the offspring back to Copper for nursing.
The baby is expected to be clinging to dad for about four to five months before becoming independent.
Lewis was born at Colchester Zoo in August 2020, with Copper arriving from Belfast Zoo in January 2024.
When two coppery titi monkeys meet, they sniff each other’s faces.
Copper and Lewis became affectionate quickly, being together for just five months before producing their offspring.
The zoo had not bred this species of monkey until 2019, when female Whiskey and male Colby, had their first young together.
Although the species is currently listed as ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, they are often killed for bush meat, caught for the pet trade, or hunted by predators.
Their tails are also sold and used as dusters.
The zoo added it is pleased to have another successful breeding pair for the conservation of the “beautiful” species.
