RTÉ’s The Zoo returns to RTÉ One tonight and viewers will learn how Helen Clarke-Bennett and her team have hand-reared an endangered baby monkey.
The rare West African monkey, Kasi, a playful and curious white crowned mangabey, did not have the easiest start to life but after months of care she is now the picture of health.
While Dublin Zoo has a minimal interference policy with the animals, after much consideration the animal care team made the decision to hand-rear Kasi until she was ready for re-introduction to the other monkeys.
Baby Kasi is a rare West African white crowned mangabey monkey
The film crew follow the zoo keeper as she takes Kasi home and begins hand rearing the monkey, which, much like a human baby, is a full time job.
Speaking about the experience, Clarke-Bennett said: "I’d forgotten how tiring it is to have a baby at home, but also how great it is.
"To have something so dependent on you is a big responsibility and to see the progress she’s been making too, the whole experience has been very rewarding."
The new series of The Zoo starts tonight, Thursday March 1 on RTÉ One Thursdays at 7pm.
Zoo Keeper Helen and the animal care team hand-reared baby Kasi
