Critically endangered monkeys arrive at East Sussex zoo
Fewer than 3,000 yellow-breasted capuchins remain in the wild
Four critically endangered monkeys are making themselves home at a zoo in East Sussex.
The arrival of the troop of yellow-breasted capuchins at Drusillas Park near Alfriston marks a important step in the conservation of the primate.
Fewer than 3,000 of the species remain in the wild, making them one of the most threatened primates in the world.
Keepers say the four males - 9 year old Doyle and Chops, 6 year old Deet, and 5 year old Clint - are settling in well after moving over from Dudley Zoo last month.
Drusillas Park's Zoo Manager Mark Kenward, said:
"Although the boys were from the same family group, moving to a new home created a new dynamic for them, so in the first few days we observed them trying to establish a hierarchy.
"Deet made the first play to be the ‘boss’ attempting to exhibit dominant behaviours but was very quickly overruled by the more confident and naturally authoritative Doyle who has settled into the leadership role.”
"Clint is definitely Doyle’s right-hand man, the two of them are quite similar in nature and tend to pair together often. Chops is a real sweetheart and will do anything to avoid conflict, he doesn’t test any boundaries and just wants to be everyone’s friend!
"So actually, Deet has ended up bottom of the pack despite initial enthusiasm, but we are also observing the whole group coming together at times to groom and rest together, so no one is being left out!”
Critically endangered species within zoos, such as these capuchins, are incredibly carefully managed and are often part of European Breeding Programmes, which aim to ensure not only the future survival of threatened species, but also their future genetic strength and diversity so they can thrive for generations.