Amazonia has welcomed a baby emperor tamarin to its collection of primates.
It is the first time the endangered species of monkey has been bred by the team at the Lanarkshire family attraction.
Emperor tamarins are small monkeys native to the Amazon Basin, inhabiting areas of Peru, Brazil and Bolivia, and are easily identified by their long, white whiskers that look like a moustache.
The birth is significant as the emperor tamarin is part of a European Endangered species breeding Programme (EEP) ran by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA).
The aim of EEPs is to have and maintain healthy and thriving populations of animals in EAZA, and beyond, which currently manages over 500 animal species including the emperor tamarin.
The team at Amazonia are delighted with their latest arrival and are looking for the public’s help to name the new baby. Its parents are called Jeeza (dad) and Neeps (mum).
Zoologist Amanda Gott, Zoo Manager at Amazonia said, “Until recently we housed a pair of females but had the opportunity from the EEP programme to take on a male.
“After a gestation period of 140 to 145 days, females give birth to one, two or occasionally, three young. Adult males assist with the birth, taking the newborn immediately and washing it.
“The mother will carry and feed the young for about 30 minutes every two to three hours. Otherwise, the males carry and care for the infants.
“Adults carry the infants until they are six to seven weeks old, at which point the youngsters start to explore their surroundings by themselves, still going back for the occasional piggyback.
“The young are weaned after two to three months as independent youngsters.”
Located within M&D’s Strathclyde Theme Park, Amazonia is a temperature controlled tropical indoor forest and home to over 60 species.
It offers a unique place for fun and learning where the whole family can marvel at monkeys, parrots, snakes, frogs, tarantulas and much more.
Further information is available from https://scotlandsthemepark.com/attractions/amazonia/
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