Colchester Zoo has welcomed the birth of a cherry-crowned mangabey, the first of its kind born at the zoo since 2017.
The baby was discovered on Wednesday, May 27, and is the first offspring for mum Maja, who has been “doing well” with her parenting duties.
Colchester Zoo has welcomed a new arrival (Image: Colchester Zoo)
Both Maja and the father, Kanye, have been together since 2020, and this is the first year the zoo has received a breeding recommendation for the pair from the European breeding programme.
Colchester Zoo said: “This is Maja’s first offspring, although we are pleased to report she is doing well with her parenting duties.”
The cherry-crowned mangabey is easily recognised by the reddish marking on its head, although the infant currently displays a pinker face and less fur, traits that will change with maturity.
The species is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List due to being killed for both local consumption and for the bushmeat trade.
Once considered common in Cameroon, populations have declined sharply over the past 40 years.
The zoo said: “Therefore, this new arrival is exciting news for the European breeding programme and the conservation of this species.”
Visitors can see the new family at the zoo’s Mangabey Mangrove habitat.
Colchester Zoo will share updates on its website and social media.
Visitors can now see the new arrival at the Mangabey Mangrove habitat (Image: Colchester Zoo)
This comes after the arrival of a baby coppery titi monkey in May, two meerkats and a baby golden tamarin in April, and several other arrivals this year, including a baby chimpanzee, a baby gibbon and a fox.
In April the zoo was named among the best wildlife spots in the UK, according to Which?
Last year, the zoo was awarded the Traveller’s Choice Award by TripAdvisor, due to it being a top-rated attraction in England and ranking in the top 10% of things to do worldwide.