Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Alexander Smail

Adorable endangered baby monkey born at Scots zoo as staff share 'happiness'

A Scottish zoo has announced the birth of a "beautiful" baby monkey.

Camperdown Wildlife Centre has welcomed a new lar gibbon, and has shared an adorable photo of the youngster to celebrate the occasion. According to the Dundee public park, the monkey was born on April 25 and is "doing well".

Keepers have said that they are "delighted" with the birth, after waiting approximately six months for the arrival of the gibbon. They also revealed that the baby will be dependent on its parents for "many years".

Camperdown Wildlife Centre’s Conservation Network Manager Bradly Yule commented: "We have a pair of lar gibbons that are an important part of a coordinated European breeding programme, and we are delighted with the birth of this endangered gibbon.

"We have waited around six months for the youngster's arrival, and our staff cannot be happier with the birth.

"Both parents and baby are doing well in their custom-built enclosure and can all be seen quite clearly at Camperdown. The youngster won't be fully independent until around two years of age and will depend on its parents for many years."

Camperdown Wildlife Centre, which is managed by Leisure & Culture Dundee, is home to over 50 species of animals, birds and reptiles.

The adorable photo shows the youngster clinging on tight to its parent. (Camperdown Wildlife Centre)

Originally from forests of South-East Asia, lar gibbons are threatened by rapid habitat loss, reducing the area where these forest apes can live, which puts their future in great danger.

Conservationists warn that unless the highest priority is given to protecting gibbon habitat, the species will become critically endangered, only a step away from extinction.

Camperdown Wildlife Centre is open daily from 10am to 4.30pm. More information can be found on its website.

Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our newsletter here.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.