Chester Zoo in the UK is celebrating the "exceptionally rare" birth of two Cotton-Top Tamarins after mom gave birth to twins.
On August 9, 2024, the Chester Zoo shared details and photos of the incredible birth and explained why it's so exceptional. Take a look!
"Great news! Rare Cotton-Top Tamarin TWINS have just been born!" the zoo shared on Instagram along with a very cute video of the little babies.
Related: Zoo Atlanta Shares Sweetest Video of Baby Orangutan Bonding with Mom
"These adorable new babies are playing a key role in the survival of their critically endangered species."
The Tamarin pregnancy lasts five months, and these little ones were born to parents Treat and Leo.
"Weighing just 40g and measuring only 10cm from their heads to the tips of their tails, the twins are not much bigger than golf balls (rather fluffy golf balls at that!)," the zoo added.
The news that mama Tamarin was expecting twins wasn't surprising since these monkeys tend to " birth in pairs of non-identical babies," the Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute explains. However, the "exceptionally rare" aspect comes in because this species has very low numbers.
"With just 2,000 remaining, they’re one of the rarest primate species on Earth," Chester Zoo writes. "We’re part of an international conservation breeding programme safeguarding these marvellous mini monkeys from extinction."
In the comments, people were thrilled about the birth of the new babies.
One wrote, "So cute! Amazing news. Saw these in the wild in Colombia. Fantastic to observe."
Another added, "Brilliant news, congratulations."
Someone else shared, "Well done! They are lovely & so special."
Facts About Cotton-Top Tamarins
According to Chester Zoo, these animals got their name because of the white fur on their head.
The zoo added, "Resembling a fluffy cotton ball, the monkeys are instantly recognizable for their unique appearance. Sadly, this has led to a major decline in numbers as they are often captured for the illegal wildlife trade to be sold as pets."
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature ( IUCN ), the animal is "critically endangered ," and its population has been reduced by 80% or more over the past 18 years.
"This decline is due to a combination of factors: a continuation of accelerated annual rates of forest loss throughout the species’ range, studies that demonstrate the unsuitability of remaining forest habitat for this species, and an ongoing, unregulated pet trade of significant proportion," the IUCN notes.
The Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute, the Cotton-Top Tamarin is only found "in the tropical and semi-dry forests of northwest Colombia." They spend most of their time in the "upper canopy layer of the forest."
Thankfully with the birth of these two new baby twins, there's a good sign for protection this adorable and incredible species.
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