Leicestershire zoo welcomes arrival of endangered species of primate
Keepers were thrilled to welcome the young of a Francois' langur
A zoo in Leicestershire is celebrating the addition of a baby Francois' langur - a rare species of primate.
The animal, similar in look to gibbons and macaques, is an endangered species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Many of the animals are typically found in Southeast Asia, with a particular concentration being found in south China and North Vietnam.
According to the most recent figures, just 2,000 Francois' langurs currently remain in the wild, as they are affected by deforestation and the destruction of their habitiat.
But at Twycross Zoo, in the west of the county, keepers at the zoo have welcomed the new arrival with open arms.
One of the first people to discover the primate was keeper Kelly Salisbury, who said that the team were "incredibly excited" at the birth.
"With their bright orange fur, baby Francois' langurs are instantly recognisable and will be super easy for visitors to spot on their next visit," she explained.
"With the Easter holidays in full swing, there's no better time for guests to come and meet our new baby Francois' langur and learn more about this fascinating species."
Director of conservation at the zoo, Dr Rebecca Biddle, insisted that the monkey's birth will do wonders for the survival of the species.
"It's always a special occasion when we welcome a new animal to the zoo but this birth is an especially important one because of how endangered the species is."
She added: "As a conservation charity, our primary purpose is to preserve and protect the species with whom we share our planet.
"The addition of a new-born Francois' langur is fantastic news, as there are only around 2,000 of them remaining in the wild.
"Unfortunately, wild populations of Francois' langurs continue to decline, so this new arrival is a welcome addition to the troop and is a sign of hope for ongoing efforts to preserve this species."
The baby langur is now being looked after by its mother, the primate keepers and the rest of the zoo's langur group.
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