Fota Wildlife Park in Co Cork has announced the birth of a François' langur monkey, a species classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The baby monkey was born on 1 February to mother Mei and father Shinobi, who are both nine years old.
They live in the Asian sanctuary at the park, which is home to a variety of endangered species from across Asia.
Mei and her younger sister Kaili travelled from Twycross Zoo in the UK in September 2022 as part of a European Endangered Breeding Programme. They were joined a few months later by Shinobi, who came from ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.
The latest addition to the family follows the birth of Tang on 22 November 2023, bringing the total number of François' langurs at the park to five.
While adults have black fur, babies of this species are born with a bright orange coat which will gradually darken over the next few months.
"This birth marks another milestone for the park's successful breeding programme for this rare primate species," said Lead Ranger Teresa Power.
"We hope the birth of this baby will help raise awareness about the critical need for conservation efforts for the François’ langur. There is a wild population of 1,400–1,650 in China and fewer than 500 left in Vietnam.
"Mei, an attentive mother, is doing exceptionally well with her second baby. She is supported by her younger sister, Kaili, who has taken on the role of an enthusiastic and caring aunt. This behaviour, known as 'allomothering', is common among François' langurs, where females within the group help to nurture and raise the young."
Fota Wildlife Park has invited the public to help name the new arrival.
The baby's gender has yet to be determined but visitors can submit their name suggestions via a form on the park's website.
