Rare coppery titi monkey born at Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo has been celebrating after the surprise birth of a rare coppery titi monkey.

During early morning checks, keepers spotted the baby clinging tightly to one of its parents.

It's the first one to be born there since the zoo opened 94 years ago.

Proud parents Scout and Ned arrived at the zoo in March and are part of an international conservation breeding programme.

This new arrival marks a promising step for the future of the species.

The baby is no bigger than a golf ball, but as time goes on it will grow to around 30cm tall with a tail almost as long.

Holly Webb, one of the keepers on the zoo's primate team said she was pleased to see the dad spending so much time with the baby.

"One of the most fascinating things about titi monkeys is the way dads play such an active role in raising their young - it's Ned who's doing most of the carrying while Scout steps in to nurse and give him a rest", she said.

For now, the little one is staying close to its parents but in the coming weeks it will begin to explore on its own.

That's when staff at the zoo will be able to tell if it's male or female - and choose the perfect name.

How much do you know about Coppery titi monkeys?

Coppery titi monkeys live in the rainforests of South America where they play a very important role in keeping forests healthy by spreading seeds.

They're easy to recognise with their striking red fur, bushy tails and the strong bonds they form with a partner for life.

They're also famous for their loud dawn duets - a male and female calling together to mark their territory.

Numbers in the wild have been falling as a result of deforestation, hunting, and the illegal pet trade.