Newquay Zoo hopes tamarin family will help boost numbers

The pied tamarins were former residents of Jersey Zoo

A UK zoo has welcomed a family of tamarins, with the hope their arrival could help boost numbers of the critically endangered species.

If a species is critically endangered it means it is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

The family of four pied tamarins is made up of a mother, father and their two girls who are both aged three.

Nessie, Cain and youngsters Kelpie and Selkie now live at Newquay Zoo, but used to live at Jersey Zoo.

Zoo staff said they hoped the animals would educate visitors

Pied tamarins in the wild and in captivity

Pied tamarins are native to Brazil and can be found in a small section of the Amazon rainforest.

Newquay Zoo is part of Wild Planet Trust - a conservation organisation that works to stop the species' decline.

Newquay Zoo's Varshana Trudgian said they've cared for the species before and are "really pleased to be home to this critically endangered species once more".

She said it's hoped that the "amazing" pied tamarins will help educate visitors about the species.