New Plymouth District Council’s Brooklands Zoo has a new baby on board.
Tufted capuchin monkey ‘Mani’ gave birth recently and so far, the newest member of the troop is doing well.
“We can see the baby is strong and nursing well. It’s clinging to mum and Mani is quite protective of it,” says Brooklands Zoo Lead, Eve Cozzi.
“While she’s a young and inexperienced mum, she’s grooming it very attentively and we’re confident the baby will continue to grow well. We’re just delighted to have a newborn for visitors to see!”
The baby brings the number of capuchins at Brooklands Zoo to seven.
Mani was born at Brooklands Zoo in 2017 (to Boo and Dixie); the father of her baby is Churi who was born in Hamilton Zoo in 2015.
Zoo staff say they won’t know the baby’s gender until it becomes more independent.
Capuchins come from central and south America but their number in the wild is declining, with threats including deforestation and the pet trade.
Brooklands Zoo is breeding the capuchins as part of a regional programme through the Zoo and Aquarium Association.
