East Sussex zoo welcomes first mini monkey in more than a decade
We're now being asked to come up with a name for the new arrival
An East Sussex zoo is celebrating the arrival of the world's smallest monkey baby, the first there in a decade.
The pygmy marmoset, a species listed as vulnerable in the wild, was discovered by keepers at Drusillas Zoo Park near Alfriston last week clinging to the back of mum Rosie.
Pygmy marmoset newborns measure around 3cm, or roughly the size of a human thumb. They will reach around 12-15cm in length and 100g in weight when fully grown.
Teams at the zoo are now asking for the public's help in finding a name for the new arrival, who they say has already been seen leaping around their enclosure independently.
The news represents a tiny but crucial boost for the species, which is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Zoo Manager Mark Kenward, said:
"We had been hoping for the arrival of a pygmy infant for a long time, so it’s wonderful news to announce!
"We’re always particularly proud when we welcome the birth of a species at risk of extinction, and it’s a privilege to play our part in conservation.
“Pygmy marmosets are typically quite shy, but Rosie has always been more confident in her nature, coming over to investigate what’s going on, which has made it easier for us to carry out observations on the infant who is doing brilliantly.
"It also seems the baby has inherited mum’s confidence as it’s already bouncing around on its own quite happily!"
Anyone wanting to offer a name for the new baby monkey can do so on the Drusillas Zoo Park Facebook page.