Tropiquaria breeds endangered monkey twins

A BREEDING programme at West Somerset zoo and adventure park Tropiquaria has produced two more babies of a critically endangered species of monkey.
The twin cotton-top tamarins were born at the Washford Cross visitor attraction a few days ago to parents Merry and Mungo.
Tropiquaria primate keeper Diane Bond said: “Mother, babies, and father are doing well.
“Father looks after the babies for most of the time, only handing the babies back to mother for feeding.”
Zoo director Chris Moiser said the situation in the wild was now looking bleak for tamarins as they were upgraded only last year from ‘endangered’ to ‘critically endangered’.
Mr Moiser said ‘critically endangered’ was the last classification before ‘extinct’.
He said: “The reason for this ‘upgrade’ is that they come from three relatively small reserves, each of which have lost significant portions of their monkey-friendly forests to development by rapidly growing local human populations.
“It is estimated that in the last 18 years the population has reduced by 80 per cent and that there are probably now only 6,000 individuals left in the wild, of which 2,000 are mature adults.
“Fortunately, these animals do remarkably well in captivity and there is now a very viable zoo population which could be used to enable re-introduction into the world should this ever become a viable possibility.”
More information about the tamarins and Tropiquaria’s breeding programme is available by calling Chris Moiser on 01984 640688.
Tropiquaria is currently open from 11 am to 4 pm at weekends and on Wednesdays.
School and group bookings are accepted on days when it is closed to the public.

• Our photograph shows tamarin father Mungo with the twin babies clinging to his back. Photo submitted.

Endangered lemur finds new Exmoor friend after cancer claims mate

CUDDLES, an endangered lemur in the care of West Somerset animal centre Tropiquaria, has found a new companion after losing her mate to liver cancer.
Staff at the Washford Cross tourism attraction spent weeks searching around the world for another lemur after Cuddles’ mate died.
Then, they found another black and white ruffed lemur almost on their doorstep – on the other side of Exmoor at Combe Martin Wildlife Park.
Now, Cuddles is being kept company by Fifi, who has moved from North Devon to live at Tropiquaria.
Senior keeper Claire Wright said: “While this species is very social, we were a little bit worried about introducing them to each other.
“In fact, within three days they were the best of friends and were eating from the same bowl.”
Black and white ruffed lemurs originate in Madagascar and the species is now listed as endangered, largely through habitat destruction.
Usually, the overall objective of keeping members of endangered species together would be to breed them and return their offspring to the wild, so it could be considered unusual for two females to be kept together.
However, Tropiquaria managing director Chris Moiser said: “Populations of endangered animals are usually managed on a national or international basis.
“This means that decisions are made on the numbers of animals that it is necessary to keep in captivity, if and when to pair them up, and, ultimately, to reintroduce them to the wild.
“Decisions are also made on which animals have the best genetic pedigrees, and therefore should be used to create the future stocks.
“This may involve animals being moved from one end of Europe to the other.
“At present our ‘girls’ are some way down that list, so they are unlikely to be involved in long-distance romances.
“We are, though, very pleased to have them here as they are very sweet and friendly animals.”
For the winter season, Tropiquaria is open from 11 am to 4 pm at weekends only, although it is available during the week for exclusive party bookings.
Further information about opening hours is on the website http://www.tropiquaria.co.uk/, or can be obtained by calling 01984 640688.

• Our photograph shows Fifi and Cuddles getting to know each other in their pen at Tropiquaria. Photo submitted.

Tropiquaria breeding success helping to save endangered bird species

THE Tropiquaria animal centre, at Washford Cross, has revealed a major breeding success with an endangered species of bird, the Northern Helmeted Curassow.
The large birds live in Venezuela and North Columbia, where their numbers are thought to be less than 10,000.
Attempts to conserve them in the wild have been difficult because of the need to enforce the existing protection laws.
Triopiquaria has what is believed to be the only breeding pair in the UK, and through removing the eggs and incubating them artificially, staff have bred and are in the process of rearing 10 chicks this year.
Senior keeper Vicky Roe-Mottershead said: “We are absolutely delighted to be involved in breeding such interesting birds and to be contributing to what is a truly international rescue project.”
Tropiquaria managing director Chris Moiser said: “The staff have worked really hard on this project, and when you consider that the parents normally only rear two young a year, having 10 at various stages of development is truly wonderful.”
Tropiquaria normally opens only at weekends from the end of October, but is now available for exclusive weekday group bookings between November and February.

• Our photograph shows keepers Sarah Crawley (left) and Becky Welsh with the two youngest Curassow chicks. Photo submitted.