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THREE baby Barbary macaque monkeys born in the trees at UK’s only Monkey Forest

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A TRIO of endangered baby Barbary macaque monkeys have been born high up in the trees at Trentham Monkey Forest, the Staffordshire woodland is delighted to confirm.

Monkey Forest conservationists are “beaming from ear-to-ear” with this small but important win for the endangered species, as fewer than 8,000 Barbary macaques are thought to remain in the wild.

 

The Staffordshire woodland is home to 140 free roaming Barbary macaque monkeys, who’s natural behaviours are preserved due to the environment of which they live. The primates go about their days living remarkably similar lives to that of wild Barbary macaques, as the 3 social groups thrive within the 60-acre forest all-year-round.

 

For the past few months, the park has been observing a few monkeys from afar to see who a potential monkey mum might be.

 

Pregnancy is only confirmed once nature takes its course, and a proud mum brings her precious bundle down with her for a spot of breakfast. This is usually a lovely surprise for the monkey team and lucky visitors to the park who get to see a new-born just hours old, during a day in the late spring / early summer. 

 

Head guide Anna Smith went to feed the monkeys their breakfast during the last week of May and to her delight, was pleasantly surprised to notice 3 precious baby Barbary macaques that had been born during the night, high up in the trees, as they would in the wild.

 

Baby Barbary macaques are born with adorable pink faces, black fur and can usually be seen to be clinging tight to mum for love and support during their first hours on earth.

 

Head Guide Anna said

“Since 2005, this conservation project for Barbary macaques has been successful in prolonging the survival of this fascinating yet unique species. For 20 years, it has been a privilege to witness babies arrive and each year is as exciting as the last. When the girls are born, they grow up with their friends and families then hopefully go on to have babies of their own to love and cherish. It’s wonderful to discover the baby monkeys and an absolute privilege to see them thrive in our unique woodland”

 

 

 

Park Director Matt Lovatt added “We’re beaming from ear-to-ear now that baby season has begun. We hope to see between 6-10 births each year, the new arrivals will be looked after by their fellow group members and start learning the fascinating Barbary macaque way of life from the very first day of their lives due to the incredible environment of which they live. That is truly special and something we’re incredibly proud of.  We can’t wait to see who’s next to be welcomed into the world, as we expect more babies to arrive very soon!”

 

Visitors from all over the UK come to see the Barbary macaques for a unique yet affordable day out and be amongst the monkeys as there are no bars, cages or glass screen separating you and them. The monkeys simply exist around the visitors as they go about their daily lives, as they would in the wild.

 

Baby season is an exciting time for visitors heading to the park as they will see wholesome behaviours like the males taking an active role in caring for the latest arrivals, a characteristic rare amongst primates described as ‘babysitting’.

 

Trentham Monkey Forest works closely with organisations that help protect the wild Barbary macaques in Morocco and Algeria as well as other primates that are facing threats in the wild. Monkey Forest also educates visitors and raises awareness of the endangered status of the primate.

 

The woodland is gearing up for a few more arrivals over the next few days, weeks and months as we head deeper into the summer! If you’d like to visit the baby monkeys, you can book a trip to see them at www.monkey-forest.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Editors' Notes:

 

 

  • Monkey Forest Background: Trentham Monkey Forest opened in 2005 and provides guests with a unique insight into the daily lives of 140 Barbary macaques - a highly endangered species of primate. The animals live freely in a setting similar to their natural habitat in Morocco and roam the 60-acre woodland. Visitors to Trentham can observe them at very close quarters. Find out more: www.monkey-forest.com.

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Quick facts

- Trentham Monkey Forest is the UK's only Monkey Forest of it's kind in Staffordshire
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- 140 monkey freely roam the 60 acre forest. Their behaviours are completely preserved, which could facilitate reintroduction
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- The woodland has baby season between May and August and has seen three births arrive
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- The public can book a trip and be amongst the monkeys, walk the 3/4 of a mile path and see them from as close as 2 metres away, with no cages bars or screens separating them and the monkeys
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- Monkey Forest is viewed as one of the most affordable yet unique attractions to visit in the UK
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- The monkeys live incredibly similar lives to the wild
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Quotes

“Since 2005, this conservation project for Barbary macaques has been successful in prolonging the survival of this fascinating yet unique species. For 20 years, it has been a privilege to witness babies arrive and each year is as exciting as the last. When the girls are born, they grow up with their friends and families then hopefully go on to have babies of their own to love and cherish. It’s wonderful to discover the baby monkeys and an absolute privilege to see them thrive in our unique woodland”
Head Guide, Anna Smith
“We’re beaming from ear-to-ear now that baby season has begun. We hope to see between 6-10 births each year, the new arrivals will be looked after by their fellow group members and start learning the fascinating Barbary macaque way of life from the very first day of their lives due to the incredible environment of which they live. That is truly special and something we’re incredibly proud of.  We can’t wait to see who’s next to be welcomed into the world, as we expect more babies to arrive very soon!”
Park Director, Matt Lovatt