Rare baby spider monkey cradled by mum as she makes first public appearance

16 February 2024 , 17:26

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Rare baby spider monkey cradled by mum as she makes first public appearance

A rare baby spider monkey has been born at Chester Zoo - and she's a bundle of joy.

Visitors to the attraction can now see baby Olive for the first time since she was born on December 1 to mum Kiara. Adorable photos show the little one cuddling up to her mother. Spider monkeys are incredibly endangered and risk disappearing altogether. But zoologists at Chester say Olive's birth represents new hope for the species.

Mark Brayshaw, who looks after the animals at the zoo, said: "Life as a baby spider monkey is very bumpy as these fascinating primates are incredibly agile, spending the majority of their time leaping between the treetops and using their tails to hang upside down while foraging for food. It's fantastic to see Kiara cradling baby Olive closely and being so attentive."

"Olive will cling to mum's belly for a few months, before gaining enough confidence to start branching off on her own and start exploring independently which will be great to see. Spider monkeys face huge survival challenges in the wild."

This type of spider monkey is mainly found in Colombia and Panama in South America (No credit)

A rare primate, known for its spider-like appearance, has been born at Chester Zoo (No credit)

"In welcoming new life into the conservation breeding programme, we're contributing to global efforts to secure a future for these highly endangered primates. In tandem with offering education, carrying out scientific research and improving public awareness, we hope to play our part in reversing their decline and ensuring the species thrives long into the future."

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This type of spider monkey is mainly found in Colombia and Panama in South America. They are under threat from hunting and illegal wildlife trade.

Spider monkeys reside in rainforests in Central and South America and are classed as vulnerable in the wild by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), meaning they face a very real threat of extinction. Their rainforest home is being destroyed by farming, causing their habitat to be broken up.

The baby Colombian black-headed spider monkey was spotted by zoo visitors while being cradled in the arms of new mum, Kiara (No credit)

The zoo says this species now needs "urgent attention to help safeguard their future." They are working with zoos across Europe to increase their numbers.

Conservationists and researchers have been studying the group of spider monkeys at Chester Zoo and how they live together. These studies have collected information on their behaviour which has then been used to help protect them in the wild.

Susie Beever