Belfast Zoo welcomes two new baby Francois' Lanqur monkeys

By Q Radio News

Belfast zoo has welcomed two new baby Francois' Lanqur monkeys, which were born within weeks of each other.

The first newborn arrived on March 2 to mother Chua, and the second arrived on April 18 to mother Nicolene.

Male AJ is the father of both infant primates.

The brightly coloured infants are joining big sister Hongxin, nicknamed “wee red”, who was born last May.

Hongxin was hand-raised by a zookeeper last year and has now been fully reintroduced back into the family unit.

Zoo Manager, Andrew Hope, is the studbook keeper for the François’ langur breeding programme.

He is responsible for co-ordinating the genetic and reproductive management of this captive population, which are currently living in nine zoos across Europe.

Mr Hope said: "The arrival of three Francois' langurs over the past year is fantastic news.

"It is always a great cause for celebration when a langur is born as there is reason to believe their population has declined as much as 50% in the past three generations.

"With an estimated population of less than 2000 left in the wild, this species is in trouble.

"The biggest threats are poaching and habitat loss.”

The zoo has celebrated the birth of this rare species many times before and has been incredibly successful at breeding this endangered primate with over 20 infants born since it become home to them in 1994.

Mr Hope added: “Successful breeding within zoos is essential as it raises hope for this highly endangered species native to Vietnam and China.

"Recent research indicates that the European population is potentially even more genetically diverse than many of the isolated wild populations.

"It is hoped that the captive population could be used to improve the genetic diversity of some isolated wild populations in the future.

"Genetically diverse captive populations are therefore extremely significant for the potential long-term survival of this species in the wild.”

Francois' langurs have black fur with white streaks of hair running from their mouths to their ears.

They also have a tuft of hair on top of their head.

However, infants are born with orange fur which gradually changes to adult colouration as they mature.

Belfast Zoo is open every day, from 10am – 6pm, with last admission at 4.30pm.

Tickets can be purchased on www.belfastzoo.co.uk

Credit: Alan Campbell