Delight at birth of 'extremely cute' baby monkey

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.

"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.

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.