Grainy black and white footage captures the moment a critically endangered Cotton Top Tamarin was born at Longleat in Wiltshire.
It’s the second successful birth for the species at the park and the short video shows the birth by eight-year-old mum Maxi.
Shortly afterwards seven-year-old dad Rico – who shares the rearing – takes the baby and 2024’s successful infant Gizmo, now nearly two, also takes a look.
Keeper Abbi Wheeler said: “It’s really exciting to have our second successful arrival for this species which is critically endangered with only around 2000 mature individuals in the world.
“We are part of the European breeding programme and it’s so important for Gizmo to see the new arrival as he will learn how to rear his own offspring when the time comes.
“Unusually, this species shares rearing between both parents. Mum and dad are currently sharing carrying the baby but Gizmo will take his turn when the baby is older but even by watching, he’s learning.
“We won’t be able to sex the baby until it climbs off mum or dad; the baby will cling on to a parent for the first six to seven weeks.”
The baby will have weighed around 50 grams when born – roughly the weight of a medium size egg.
Will cling onto mum and dad for the first 6/7 weeks and will weigh roughly around 50g when born.
The Cotton Top Tamarins hail from Colombia in South America.
Guests to Longleat this Bank Holiday weekend may be able to spot the baby when visiting Animal Adventure – for more information visit longleat.co.uk
Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NW
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