Alison Allen A baby tamarin, a small brown and grey-furred monkey, opens its mouth wide in a smile while clinging to its mother's back.Alison Allen

The tiny infant’s gender has not been revealed because it is in constant close contact with other monkeys

Zookeepers have said they are “absolutely thrilled” at the birth of a critically-endangered monkey.

The cotton-top tamarin, named for the wild crest of white hair that grows as they mature, was born at Blackpool zoo to parents Rosa and Rico.

Its birth has been celebrated as there are only an estimated 2,000 adults left in the wild due to habitat loss in their native Colombia.

“Every single successful birth helps secure the future of this precious species,” Emma Swindells, senior keeper, said.

Blackpool Zoo has shared footage of its latest arrival

“Cotton-top tamarins are tiny, even as adults they don’t weigh more than 1lb and are just 8 to 10 inches long,” she said.

“As you can imagine, the babies are super small and extremely cute so it is always lovely to see the reaction of visitors when they spot one.”

Other monkeys have been taking turns to look after the tiny infant to ease pressure on the mother.

Alison Allen An adult cotton-top tamarin - a small white fluffy primate with a black face with a baby one on it's back, with brown fur.Alison Allen

The baby cotton-top tamarin is being cared for collectively by the group

The zoo has seven of the tamarins across two social groups, with two being born last year.

The new baby will be named once its gender has been determined, a zoo spokesman said.