Chester Zoo Welcome Adorable Spider Monkey Infant

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: September 25, 2021 12:25 am

A Colombian black-headed spider monkey infant clings to mother Kiara at Chester Zoo

Photo Credit: Chester Zoo

Chester Zoo have announced the birth of a threatened Colombian black-headed spider monkey. The latest arrival can be seen at the zoo clinging to mother Kiara. This baby arrived on August 29th 2021.

The father of the new arrival is 32 year old Popoyan.

At 11 years old Kiara is an experienced mother. Dr Nick Davis, Deputy Curator of Mammals and primatology expert at the zoo, said: “It’s fantastic to see Kiara cradle her new baby closely – she’s an experienced mum so has slipped right back into motherhood.”

A Colombian black-headed spider monkey infant clings to mother Kiara at Chester Zoo

Photo Credit: Chester Zoo

Colombian black headed-spider monkeys are considered to be a vulnerable species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Over a quarter of their population has been lost over the last half century.

Their population is found in Colombia and Panama but has been declining through habitat loss and hunting.

The new arrival is a welcome boost for the threatened species as Davis explained, “Colombian black-headed spider monkeys are vulnerable to extinction and so Kiara’s precious newcomer is a great addition to the international breeding programme for the species.”

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Colombian black-headed spider monkeys are named for their long, narrow limbs and black fur giving them a spider-like appearance. Their long tail is prehensile and works as an extra limb as they move through the trees.

“The social structure of a group of spider monkeys is quite different to most other monkey species and the group here at Chester has proved to be really important to our wider scientific understanding of the species. Numerous conservationists and researchers have studied the spider monkeys here – developing methods for recording behavioural data which they’ve then transferred and applied to vital conservation action in the field,” finished Davis.