Double trouble with Colchester Zoo's latest arrivals
New Golden Lion Tamarins were born towards the end of lockdown
There's been some double trouble at Colchester Zoo - as two new monkeys have arrived.
Golden Lion Tamarin twins were born in early March, but a new video shows the babies as they welcomed back visitors.
On Tuesday 9th March, the zoo's Animal Care Team welcomed the arrival of the tiny Golden Lion Tamarins to mum, Satine, and Dad, Sooty.
This is the pair’s second set of twins after welcoming their first offspring in together in 2020.
The Zoo said:
"Mum Satine has once again been a great mother to her young, with attentive Dad Sooty also lending a hand!
"Older siblings, Skylar and Sammie, have also been showing an interest in their new family members with gentle sniffs and touching and with approval from mum, older sibling Skylar has also been seen carrying one of the little ones!"
Dad Sooty was born at Colchester Zoo on 18th February 2013, whilst the female, Satine was born at La Palmyre Zoo in France on 18th June 2017.
Satine joined Sooty in July 2019 and the pair have since formed a strong bond.
Like all the tamarins, they live in monogamous pairs which has resulted in multiple births from the couple.
The adorable twins started out very light in colour, almost blonde but have darkened since birth, looking more like their parents every day, silky and golden.
Once the new arrivals are fully grown, they will still only reach up to 40cm in length and weigh a tiny 25oz!
The young family currently share their home with two Linne’s two-toed sloths. Due to the calm nature of sloths, they show very little interest in the new arrivals making them the perfect house mates.
Colchester Zoo's Animal Care Team are waiting until the pair have been sexed to name them.
Sadly, this species is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and so not only is this news great for Colchester Zoo but also for the conservation of their species.