Baby boom at Belfast Zoo this spring!
Belfast Zoo is celebrating a very special spring baby boom, with a host of precious new arrivals born to some of the world’s rarest and most vulnerable species.
Lara Clarke, Belfast Zoo Curator, said: “This baby boom is something truly special. Many of these species are in real danger of disappearing in the wild.
"Breeding success like this isn’t just adorable - it’s essential. It reflects the incredible care from our teams and the vital role modern Zoos play in conservation, education and species survival.”
Among the newest arrivals is a cotton-top tamarin, one of the most endangered primates on the planet.
Born to experienced parents Vicky and Spencer, this is their ninth baby since arriving at the Zoo. With fewer than 2,000 mature individuals left in the wild, according to the IUCN Red List, every birth of this critically endangered monkey is a beacon of hope.
In the Zoo’s ‘Animals of Australia’ habitat, there’s double the reason to celebrate. Emu pair, Bruce and Sheila have welcomed an incredible five fluffy chicks, while a baby wallaby joey is also beginning to peek out from its mother’s pouch.
Both species are new additions to Belfast Zoo and are already delighting visitors.
And over in the meerkat mob - a group that only arrived a few months ago - we’ve had two new pups, their second litter this year, proving just how well they’ve settled into life here in Belfast.
In the Rainforest House, Linne’s two-toed sloth parents Priscita and Enrique have had their second baby in under a year - a rare and remarkable achievement for the species.
Nearby, in the primate section, the Zoo is also celebrating the birth of a Colombian Spider Monkey, an endangered species threatened by habitat loss and hunting.
Ruairi Donaghy, Senior Keeper, added: “It’s been amazing to watch Priscita become a mum again so soon - she’s calm, caring and completely devoted.
"Seeing our young spider monkey thrive is equally rewarding. These births make all the long hours worth it. They remind us why we do what we do - to protect species and inspire people to care about wildlife.”
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