Zoo announces birth of rare tamarin monkey

In the wild, cotton-headed tamarins live in humid forests where they can leap from tree trunk to tree trunk

A zoo has announced the birth of a critically endangered monkey.

The cotton-top tamarin was born at Marwell Zoo, in Hampshire, to parents Mico and Gurt.

Native to Columbia, there are only about 2,000 of the small primates left in the wild.

Describing it as a "really exciting time for our troop at Marwell", the zoo said it was the second time the pair had reproduced.

Amy Deny, animal team leader for primates and small mammals, said last year was quite overwhelming for the first-time parents.

The pair had to learn to look after their triplets alone, being the sole care providers.

However, this time they have the help of juveniles Pugsley and Pubert.

"Cotton-top tamarins cooperatively rear their offspring, meaning all members of the troop take it in turns to carry the babies," Ms Deny said.

"This gives the parents an important chance to rest."

Mico and Gurt will take turns carrying the new arrival, which clings to the fur on their backs and tummy areas before it becomes fully independent at about five months old.

Ms Deny said that "while dad Mico does most of the hard work, older brother Pugsley has also started sharing the workload", taking the baby outside with him while playing and foraging for food.

Cotton-top tamarins are named because of the long tufts of white fur on the top of their heads.

They eat fruit, flowers, nectar and small prey such as frogs, snails and insects.

The zoo has launched a competition to name the tiny monkey, with voters given the option of three names from The Addams Family - Fester, Lurch and Gomez - following in the family tradition of Pugsley and Pubert.