Perth Zoo goes bananas after welcoming birth of newborn Bolivian squirrel monkey
Perth Zoo is left distraught after welcoming the birth of a newborn baby Bolivian squirrel monkey.
The tiny primate was born around 3.30am on November 22 to parents Vivo and Tikan.
The gender of the baby is not yet known and its name will be given after the gender is announced next year.
Liv Paris, head keeper at Perth Zoo, said it was difficult to see the baby’s genitals because the baby was constantly attached to its mother, Vivo.
“We won’t see whether it’s a boy or a girl until the baby is probably at least six weeks old or even older,” he said.
“We need to see them climbing the web, so once we get that close look we’ll know if it’s a boy or a girl and we’ll consider naming them and making a name for them.”
As a social primate, squirrel monkeys are raised by other females; Vivo’s sisters Estrella and Reina are already showing great interest in babies and are proving to be hands-on aunts.
“Mom will choose her closest ally in the group, perhaps her mother or sister, and then they will act as an aunt while the baby is there or at four weeks old,” Ms. Paris said.
“Reina has the youngest child of the group…she’s ready to get in there and take care of another baby.”
Bolivian squirrel monkeys Sue and Estrella are also pregnant and expected to give birth in the next few months, Ms. Paris said.
“Hopefully we should see more babies being born in the summer months,” he said.
“It’s so much fun to have so many babies at the same time and to see them all together.
“This really takes the pressure off the adult females because they can play with each other instead of annoying the adults.”
Perth Zoo is part of a regionally coordinated Bolivian squirrel monkey breeding programme.
