Four tiny monkeys have created a big baby boom at Tropical World after two pairs of babies arrived within two weeks.
The Letterkenny attraction welcomed two white-lipped tamarins on Monday, 17th August 2026, followed by two Geoffroy’s marmosets on Friday, 28th August 2026.
Zookeeper Katie Franklin revealed the latest arrivals during a special visit by Donegal Daily, when the newborn marmosets were less than 24 hours old.
“We have had a baby boom here. It has been very, very exciting,” Katie said.
“It is absolutely fantastic for conservation here at the zoo and around the world.”
One of the baby white-lipped tamarins clings tightly to an adult male.
The white-lipped tamarin babies were born overnight without any complications, giving keepers a wonderful surprise when they arrived the following morning.
Katie said the mother, believed to be a first-time parent, handled the birth brilliantly.
“Mum was an absolute superstar. She did everything herself.”
The newborns are being raised by their entire family group, which now consists of four adults and the two babies. The mother feeds the youngsters, but the father and brothers carry out much of the remaining childcare.
“They teach the babies how to climb, how to hold on to things properly and how to eat politely, or as politely as a monkey can!”
“The mother is basically there for feeding. She’s the leader.”
A white-lipped tamarin carries one of the family’s two new arrivals.
The births follow a major effort to establish healthy breeding groups of white-lipped tamarins at Tropical World, in collaboration with zoos in the Czech Republic and Poland.
The programme brings unrelated animals together to establish healthy breeding lines and reduce the risks associated with inbreeding.
White-lipped tamarins, which are also known as red-bellied tamarins, originate in the Amazon rainforests of Brazil, Bolivia and Peru.
There are currently twelve in the Letterkenny zoo.
The new arrivals are believed to be the first white-lipped tamarins born in captivity in the Republic of Ireland.
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One of Tropical World’s newborn white-lipped tamarins travels safely on an adult’s back.
Tropical World’s baby boom continued on Friday when Penelope, a Geoffroy’s marmoset, gave birth to twins.
There are now ten Geoffroy’s marmosets, also known as white-headed marmosets, in the family group, spearheaded by Penelope and Pedro, who have been inseparable since they were first introduced in 2019.
Penelope (left) carries her newborn Geoffroy’s marmoset babies on her back.
The new additions are thriving, Katie said.
“They are still clinging to their mother, who is an absolutely fantastic mum. She is a fifth-time mum.”
The marmosets also form part of a breeding programme. When the young animals reach the appropriate age, Tropical World may contact other zoos seeking marmosets for their own breeding groups.
Both monkey species are currently classified as being of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, although habitat loss poses a threat to some wild populations.
The four new arrivals have brought the total number of animals at Tropical World above the 200 mark.
Katie Franklin and Michael O’Boyce at Tropical World at Alcorns Letterkenny on Saturday, 29th August 2026.
The five-person zookeeping team is carrying out daily health checks to ensure the babies are moving normally, feeding properly and displaying the expected behaviours.
Katie said public interest has increased since Tropical World announced the arrival of the tamarins.
And the quieter weeks following the summer holidays could offer the perfect opportunity to see them.
“This is a great time to visit Tropical World, especially with all the new arrivals,” she said.
“The zoo is also nice and peaceful and quiet, so the animals are likely to come out more and be more active.
“You will have a greater chance of seeing the animals and their babies.”
Zookeeper Katie Franklin at the Geoffroy’s marmoset enclosure in Tropical World.