Telford Exotic Zoo celebrates the birth of the world's tiniest monkey twins

Mum gives newborn pygmy marmosets a piggy back ride at Exotic ZooMum gives newborn pygmy marmosets a piggy back ride at Exotic Zoo
Mum gives newborn pygmy marmosets a piggy back ride at Exotic Zoo | Exotic Zoo
The arrival came as a bit of surprise to everyone at the zoo - including keepers!

A zoo, just over an hour away from Derby, is celebrating the birth of two of the world’s smallest monkey species.

Keepers at the Exotic Zoo in Telford are ‘jumping for joy’ after two tiny pygmy marmosets were spotted riding on the back of their parents!

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Pygmy marmosets are native to South America and when fully grown only reach a height of 10 centimetres.

This makes them one of the smallest mammal species on the planet.

Keepers say it is the first time the species has been successfully bred at the zoo.

New parents, Robyn and Hook were matched at the zoo as part of an initiative to safeguard the species from extinction.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Pygmy Marmosets are usually found throughout South America ranging from Brazil to Bolivia but are facing extinction in the wild due to habitat loss across the Amazon basin.

The species are vulnerable to extinction in the wild according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Exotic Zoo Director, Scott Adams said: ‘’The arrival of the baby marmosets was a huge surprise for everybody at the zoo and we’re delighted to be able to play a role in the captive breeding program for the species.

“We have a hands-off policy with our marmosets and couldn’t be sure whether the female was pregnant.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Our keepers were jumping for joy when they spotted the twins riding on the back of mum and dad.’’

“The twins are approximately three centimetres in height and are already quite active.

“Robyn is a great first-time mum, she is feeding them well and then allowing their dad to carry them around on his back for the rest of the time.

“It will be a few weeks before the youngsters become confident enough to leave their parent's side to explore their enclosure for themselves.’’

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Exotic Zoo is a family favourite zoo in Telford, Shropshire where people, young and old can get closer to nature and learn about over 60 species from amazing habitats around the world.

There is a bit of a baby boom at the zoo with loads of exciting things to see.

Exotic Zoo also boasts a new natural history museum with real dinosaur skeletons and amazing fossils from when the world began to the present day.

Address: Exotic Zoo Wildlife Park, Hinkshay Road, Dawley, Telford TF4 3GZ

For more information about the zoo visit its website by clicking here.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.

Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice