6a010535647bf3970b02af1c986fd0200d 600wi Baby Saki: Cuteness Overload! - ZooBorns

Baby Saki: Cuteness Overload! – ZooBorns


Meet Marwell’s adorable white-faced saki baby who took keepers by surprise, arriving on Boxing Day to parents Manja and Twenke.

White-faced saki are native to Venezuela, Suriname, Guyana, French Guiana and Brazil, where they live in a variety of forest habitats.

They are currently listed as being of Least Concern on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened species and the animals at Marwell are part of an international breeding programme.

Although they’re listed as Least Concern, their numbers in the wild are decreasing and as a result, white-faced saki are protected in national parks in Brazil, Guyana and Suriname.

The new baby will live with their parents and older sibling Rei alongside the park’s golden lion tamarins in the Life Amongst the Trees section of the park.

Staff - Comms - White-faced saki baby

Manja and Twenke have had four babies since they were first housed together in 2016. Two of their older offspring, Denny and Diega have since moved to other collections.

Animal Team Leader, Amy Denny, said: “Baby will stay tucked into mum’s thigh for a few more weeks then will start moving up onto mum’s back to be carried.

“After this they will start leaving mum occasionally for short periods of time and siblings may help by taking turns carrying the baby.

“It is really important for siblings to experience an infant birth in the family group as this is how they learn to care for their own youngsters.

Staff - Comms - White-faced saki baby (4)

“Manja is a very experienced mum who does an excellent job raising infants. Twenke will start to get a little more involved as the baby becomes more independent and will share food etc.

“They will also learn play behaviour by trying this out on their siblings, although now Rei is 4 he might not be too impressed with being used as a climbing frame or wrestling partner!”

Staff---Comms---White-faced-saki-baby-(3)

Did you know?

In the wild, white-faced sakis are able to travel between vertical tree trunks by leaping and clinging on to the trunks

The lifespan for white-faced sakis is around 35 years

Sakis mainly eat seeds, and leaves, but they also enjoy fruit, fungi and insects

Staff---Comms---White-faced-saki-baby-(2)

Baby saki blend in very well with their mothers when they are being carried so guests might need to be patient when looking for our new arrival – officials promise it’s worth the wait!



Source link

Scroll to Top