Monkeys make 250 mile journey to new home

Eleanor Lawson - BBC News, West Midlands
·2-min read
A squirrel monkey, which has a brown head, blonde ears, and yellow-orange fur, sits on a wooden post with green leaves behind it. Its paws are holding the end of the post.
A family of eight squirrel monkeys have arrived at Hoo Zoo in Telford [Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World]

A Shropshire zoo has welcomed a family of eight squirrel monkeys, who have been transported 250 miles to reach their new home.

The troop of monkeys are settling in at Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World in Telford, after travelling from Port Lympne Safari Park in Kent.

The "lively group" consists of Gustavo, Horacio, Maria, Tucette, Antonio, Garcia, Pedro, and Pablo.

Hoo Zoo director Will Dorrell said they would be ambassadors for their species, and he hoped their arrival would educate the public about the importance of rainforest conservation.

Three squirrel monkeys, which have brown heads, blonde ears, and yellow-orange fur, sit on a wooden post. One sits at the front and stares at the camera, another sits next to it with its back to the camera, and the third is in the background, its face not visible.
Squirrel monkeys are showing a decline in the wild due to poaching for the illegal pet trade [Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World]

Mr Dorrell said: "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."

ADVERTISEMENT

He added that the zoo was delighted to welcome the brand-new species of primate.

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.

Whilst 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.

Three squirrel monkeys sit on a branch, which is leaning diagonally across the monkey enclosure. The enclosure is made of wood and the sky and a tree are visible behind it. The monkeys have brown heads, blonde ears, and yellow-orange fur.
Squirrel monkeys are native to the tropical forests of Central and South America [Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World]

To accommodate the new arrivals, Hoo Zoo has erected a brand-new habitat complete with plants, trees, shrubs and climbing places, designed to reflect the primate's natural habitat.

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

Mr Dorrell added: "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.

ADVERTISEMENT

"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."

Hoo Zoo is also home to Cinnamon the capybara, whose escape from the attraction last year sparked interest around the globe.

Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.

More on this story

Related internet links

Latest stories

  • Aussies warned about snakes 'on the move' after rare venomous find in living room

    The small 'beauty' was discovered in a rural home – and even at this size, you wouldn't want to come across it.

  • Urgent plea after 'nasty' discovery in popular Aussie tourist town

    Locals are urging travellers to slow down and be careful after a beloved animal suffered a 'severe' wound.

  • These cities have big rat problems, and there’s one thing to blame

    There’s a saying that in a big city you are never more than six feet away from a rat. It’s an urban myth but scientists are warning that cities across the US and beyond are becoming far rattier, and this boom is primarily driven by one factor

  • Bear Agrees to 'Manicure' at Colorado Zoo in Exchange for Snacks

    A grizzly bear at a Colorado zoo has a unique way of keeping his nails trimmed compared to his roommate, allowing keepers to file his nails in exchange for snacks.Cheyenne Mountain Zoo said Emmett prefers his nails a little longer than his roomie Digger. He is trained to present his nails through a panel, while keepers hold an electric nail file and wait for him to make contact.“Allowing Emmett to initiate contact gives him the opportunity to express when he feels ready or when he wants to stop,” the zoo said.“Emmett doesn’t mind getting his nails filed, especially when he gets snacks,” they added.The zoo said Emmett can leave the “manicure” whenever he wants but that he typically likes to stay to make sure he gets his food.This is in complete contrast to Digger, who manages his nail length through his love of digging in the dirt, which helps to wear down his nails. Credit: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo via Storyful

  • Aussie city smashed by torrential rain

    Emergency services have deployed multiple water rescue crews as torrential rain and flash flooding smashes one Aussie city.

  • Aussies warned of danger lurking in floodwaters: 'Always an issue'

    Amid cyclone threats and heavy rain, Queensland residents are being warned about an extra threat lurking in floodwaters.

  • 'Groundbreaking' detail in Aussie shark photo stuns scientist: 'Ingenious'

    As one state moves closer to removing shark nets altogether — incredible, modern ideas are emerging in their place.

  • 'It's Alive! Cool!': Boaters Rescue Sawfish Trapped in Net

    A couple of boaters on the lookout for a barramundi down Western Australia’s Fitzroy River came across something entirely different when they ended up rescuing an endangered sawfish.Footage by Karen Rule of Positive Fishing shows her and her partner John “Johno” Marven heading towards the shore after spotting what they thought to be a dead fish entangled in a net.“We see something strange; it wasn’t right. We couldn’t get the tinny in close enough, the water was too shallow,” Marven told Storyful.The pair jumped into the ankle-deep water to take a closer look, only to find a very lively sawfish vainly trying to free itself. Video shows Rule holding the net as Marven proceeds to cut it and help the critter back into deeper water.Both smalltooth and largetooth sawfish feature on the NOAA Fisheries list of endangered species.Talking to the ABC, Rule said, “We pushed him back into the deep and he swam off safely. It was a very nice feeling … to see him glide off.” Credit: Positive Fishing via Storyful

  • Man trapped for days in sinkhole in Japan as rescue attempts continue

    The sinkhole that suddenly opened on a road near Tokyo has captured national attention as attempts to rescue the elderly driver drag on.

  • Millions to swelter through new heatwave

    Heatwave warnings have been issued for Aussies across several states ahead of a scorching weekend.

  • Three orphaned mountain lion cubs get TLC at California's Oakland Zoo: See adorable video

    The three adorable mountain lion cubs named Fern, Thistle and Spruce were believed to have been orphaned after their mother was killed by a car.

  • Could the UK actually get colder with global warming?

    Some scientists fear the risk of a collapse to warm Atlantic currents has not been taken seriously.

  • Aussie garden ignored for 25 years gets incredible six hour transformation: 'I've been busy'

    The homeowner's three word reason for why he'd completely neglected the property is hard to believe.

  • ‘Not pleasant’: Horror find in water tank

    Aussies are being warned to check their water tanks after a horrible discovery in one led to health concerns.

  • Rescuers free whale trapped by ropes off Skye

    The whale was spotted in difficulty at a fish farm on Thursday morning.

  • Orchids and rare fungi found in fire-hit wood

    Volunteers are working to restore the community woodland, which was badly damaged by fire.

  • Endangered tiger cub triplets born at safari park

    The Sumatran tiger cubs are born to mum Dourga at West Midlands Safari Park.

  • Dump fuel fees and tax all cars, motoring groups urge

    The government should overhaul vehicle taxes in its upcoming budget, according to early submissions that say electric, hybrid and petrol drivers should pay.

  • Major Los Angeles blaze contained, authorities say

    The second of two major wildfires that contributed to the worst natural disaster in Los Angeles County history is now 100 per cent contained, authorities say.

  • Strong Winds in Hawaii Tear Up Roof

    The roof of a building in Hawaii was torn up in the thunderstorms that hit the state on Thursday, January 30.An X user took a video of the damage, showing roofing material flapping in the wind.Parts of Hawaii were under flash flood warnings and special marine warnings on Thursday and into Friday.According to a special marine warning issued on Friday morning, winds on the water were expected to reach 34 knots, or about 39 mph. Credit: Anonymous via Storyful