Adorable family of squirrel monkeys arrive at Telford zoo

The lively group, consisting of Gustavo, Horacio, Maria, Tucette, Antonio, Garcia, Pedro, and Pablo, arrived safely at Hoo Zoo following a four-hour journey from their former home at Port Lympne Safari Park. 

In the wild, squirrel monkeys are native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, where they typically live in large, socially complex groups.

While not currently endangered, they are considered to be vulnerable to extinction in the wild according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Squirrel monkeys face increasing threats from habitat loss in the Amazon and are regularly poached for the illegal pet trade.

To accommodate the new arrivals, Hoo Zoo has built an all-new habitat complete with plants, trees, shrubs and climbing places, offering a vibrant, interactive environment designed to reflect the primate’s natural environment.

It is hoped that the design of the enclosure will encourage the monkeys to display natural behaviours and their normal social dynamics.

Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World director Will Dorrell said: "We are absolutely delighted to welcome a brand new species of primate to the zoo. The squirrel monkeys will be ambassadors for their species and we hope that their arrival will educate the public about the importance of rainforest conservation.

"Unfortunately, squirrel monkey numbers are showing a decline due to poaching for the illegal pet trade. Our zoo keepers can confirm that they would make awful pets.

"Each of the new arrivals seems to be settling in well to their new enclosure and guests are already remarking at how interesting they are to watch.

"We were working around the clock to get their new enclosure ready for the upcoming February half-term break and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to make it happen."