FOTA WILDLIFE PARK in Carrigtwohill, Co Cork has announced the birth of a black-and-white colobus monkey, who is in need of a name. 

The monkey was born on 30 October to parents Freya and Juggs, Mother Freya, born in December 2017, arrived at Fota Wildlife Park nearly four years ago from La Palmyre Zoo in France.

Father Juggs, born in November 2007, has been a resident at Fota since June 2011, having transferred from Belfast Zoo as part of a European breeding programme.

The new arrival has one older sister, Frida, who arrived into the world in August of last year. She has already been spotted “babysitting” her younger sibling. 

The new arrival Sinéad Donnachie Sinéad Donnachie

While the baby is becoming increasingly active and mobile in recent weeks, it still sports the distinctive white infant coat, which will gradually develop into the species’ striking black-and-white colouring.

Lead Ranger Teresa Power said the arrival of the young colobus, whose gender is not yet known, has been met with great excitement.

“The baby’s white, curly coat will slowly darken into the striking black-and-white coat for which the species is known over the next few weeks and months.

“The arrival of this baby colobus is a powerful reminder that life continues behind the scenes, even while our gates were closed to the public for ten weeks between 14 October and 20 December (arising out of bird flu).

Parents Freya and Juggs with the newborn Sinéad Donnachie Sinéad Donnachie

“Throughout that time, our dedicated teams continued to provide world-class animal care and deliver critical conservation work every single day.

“The birth underscores the significant survival challenges facing primates, the vital role of species breeding programmes, which are cooperative enterprises between many zoos and wildlife parks in Europe and the UK and also the wide-ranging conservation initiatives carried out at Fota Wildlife Park.”

The black-and-white colobus monkeys are native to the forests of Central Africa and are known for their black and white fur and long, flowing tails. The species has been hunted for centuries because of its unique coat. It is also threatened by agricultural developments and timber production within its native habitats.

The newest member of the colobus monkey family can be seen at Fota Wildlife Park in the shared colobus and meerkat habitat, located just inside the main entrance.

To be in with a chance of winning a year-long Conservation Pass to Fota Wildlife Park, submit a name suggestion with a relevant meaning or link to the species through the online form at www.fotawildlife.ie/news.