Zoo celebrates birth of endangered tamarin twins

The tiny twins are often carried by family members

A zoo has welcomed the birth of twins to a pair of critically endangered cotton-top tamarins.

The babies, born on 3 April, are the third set of offspring for parents Gurt and Mico at Marwell Zoo near Winchester, Hampshire, bringing the family group to seven members.

About 2,000 mature adults remain in the wild, confined to parts of north-west Colombia.

The species often gives birth to non-identical twins, in common with some other tropical primates.

The twins will be named after characters from The Addams Family

Newborns can be only about 10cm (4in) long from the top of the head to the tip of the tail.

The babies, whose genders are not yet known, spend time being carried by family group members or foraging for insects and nectar, the zoo said.

Eleanor Done, Marwell's primates keeper, said: "Our cotton-top tamarins are a strong family unit and they are all working well together.

"Unfortunately, this species is critically endangered mainly due to deforestation, habitat destruction and the illegal pet trade in their native Colombia.

"The fact that Marwell has successfully bred the species for a third time is really important."

In keeping with their siblings, the twins will be named after characters from The Addams Family, following a public vote.