NPDC’s Brooklands Zoo has a new, furry addition to the family!

Tufted capuchin monkey Amani gave birth recently and so far, the baby is doing well.

“The baby’s about a week old now and we can see it’s strong and nursing well, and clinging to mum. Amani is quite protective of it,” says NPDC Brooklands Zoo Lead Eve Cozzi.

“She’s caring for her baby very attentively and staff are confident the baby will continue to grow well.

“Tufted capuchins are a social species and we’re just delighted to see particular natural social interactions between the group members that zoo visitors otherwise wouldn’t get to see without the presence of youngsters.”

The baby brings the number of capuchins at Brooklands Zoo to eight. The last capuchin born at the zoo is now nine months old.

Amani was born at Hamilton Zoo in 2009; the father of her baby, Churi, was born in Hamilton Zoo in 2015.

The newborn’s gender won’t be known until it becomes more independent.

Capuchins come from central and south America however their number in the wild is declining, with threats including deforestation and the pet trade.

Fast facts:

• Brooklands Zoo is part of a regional managed breeding programme for tufted capuchins through the Zoo and Aquarium Association.
• Nearly 140,000 people visit Brooklands Zoo every year.
• The zoo is a MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries) approved facility, and a Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) welfare accredited member.

© Scoop Media