Trentham Monkey Forest in Staffordshire welcomes its first babies of the year
The first baby monkeys of the year have been born at Trentham Monkey Forest.
Slightly later than usual, the two new arrivals were born on May 27 and 30 and it is thought they will be the first of a number of births in the coming weeks as baby season hits the monkey forest.
Birthing season runs from late spring through to early summer so the team in north Staffordshire have been eagerly awaiting the first babies of the year as summer fast approaches. As the babies are born high up in the trees at night, it is not until the following morning that the staff at the forest get the first peek of a new arrival.
Staff spot a tiny bundle clinging onto its mother’s tummy, something they are regularly on the look out for daily during baby season.
This time last year the forest had already welcomed six babies to the group, making this year’s slightly later arrival highly anticipated. As the weather warms up the monkey forest is expecting more new arrivals very soon.
Director Matt Lovatt said: “Every year the arrival of babies is exciting for us here at Trentham Monkey Forest. It’s a privilege to be able to watch the intimate moments between the babies, mothers and family members during those precious first few days and weeks.
"Importantly, it also allows us to share the plight of the Barbary macaque with our visitors to raise awareness of their endangered status as there is only an estimated 8,000 surviving in the wild."
Trentham Monkey Forest, near Barlaston on the outskirts of Stafford, is open daily from 10am.
For more details and stay up to date with the forest's latest baby news, visit www.monkey-forest.com
