AN endangered species has been given a tiny boost after a baby monkey was born at Colchester Zoo.
Cheekaboo, a Colombian black spider monkey, has given birth to her 7th infant at Colchester Zoo.
The birth proved a stroll for the experienced mum, but her daughters Chilli and Cherry, aged seven and three, may take a little while to warm to the newborn.
Primate keeper at the zoo, Emily said: “The baby is still only a few weeks old, so we don’t yet know whether we have a baby girl or boy, but we will be looking out over the next month to see what name suits best.”
“The birth is really important for the conservation of the species as black spider monkeys are listed as endangered.”
Originating from South-Western Colombia to Eastern Panama, spider monkeys live in dry, humid and cloudy forests.
The name for the spider monkey comes from the fact their limbs are disproportionately long, giving them a spider-like look. Their tail also acts as another limb which can support their entire body weight.
Born with pink faces and ears, they gradually grow dark hair as they get older.
The spider monkeys at Colchester Zoo are located at Meddelin Monkeys situated opposite the Leopards at Ussuri Falls.
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