Love is in the air at Belfast Zoo as they celebrate another new arrival
Another little cutie 🐒💕
We’ve got exciting news to share this Valentine’s weekend. A coppery titi monkey was born to mum, Inca, and dad, Aztec, on 17 January 2022.
The pair first arrived at Belfast Zoo in 2010, and this is their sixth offspring. Coppery titi monkeys are monogamous, which means they mate for life. They can often be seen sitting with intertwined tails when they are sleeping or sitting on tree branches.
Mummy Inca will be taking it easy this Valentine’s Day! Unlike most other primates, coppery titi monkeys are very attentive fathers, Aztec will have his hands full with the lion’s share of the childcare duties.
Fathers do the majority of the carrying, only handing the infant over to the mother for nursing.
The infant will cling to Aztec for approximately four to five months so it will be some time before the keepers are able to confirm the gender of the infant.
Zoo curator, Julie Mansell, said “Male coppery titi monkeys make the perfect partner in the primate world as they are both faithful and caring as fathers. We first welcomed Aztec and Inca to Belfast Zoo in 2010 and they have been building their family unit ever since with the arrival of their sixth offspring. Baby is currently doing well, and we are looking forward to finding out its sex in a few months.”
This species is found in the rainforests of South America including Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela and Peru.
Living in the trees, foraging for food in the canopy below, Coppery titi monkeys love to socialise with other species of monkey. The communicate through an elaborate system of vocals, smelling and gestures.
Remember the exciting gender reveal party earlier this year for the newborn for gorilla? Well its name has finally been picked by the public. Meet KOFI 🦍
Swing by Belfast Zoo with your little monkeys this half term for a fun family day out!
Visitors can also take part in our ‘Woo at the Zoo’ couple’s offer on Saturday 12 February (advance booking essential) or take part in a Walk on the Wild Side’ guided conservation walk on Saturday 19 February (advance booking essential).
All tickets must be purchased online in advance, visit belfastzoo.co.uk
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