A rare and remarkable moment has been captured on camera at Longleat, where a critically endangered cotton-top tamarin has been born.
Grainy black and white footage shows the tiny primate arriving at the Wiltshire safari park, marking the second successful birth of the species at the site.
The infant was born to eight-year-old mother Maxi, with seven-year-old father Rico quickly taking on his share of parenting duties. The couple’s first offspring, Gizmo—now approaching two years old—was also seen inspecting the new arrival shortly after the birth.
Keepers say the scenes offer an encouraging glimpse into the future of a species facing serious threat in the wild, with only around 2,000 mature individuals believed to remain.
Abbi Wheeler, one of the animal care team, said the birth represents an important step for conservation efforts.
“It’s really exciting to have our second successful arrival for this species,” she said. “We are part of the European breeding programme, and it’s important for Gizmo to see the new arrival as he will learn how to rear his own offspring when the time comes.”
Cotton-top tamarins are known for their cooperative approach to parenting, with both mother and father sharing responsibility for carrying and caring for their young. Keepers say Maxi and Rico are already taking turns, while Gizmo is expected to become more involved as the infant grows.
For now, the newborn—thought to have weighed around 50 grams at birth, roughly the size of a medium egg—will cling tightly to its parents for the first six to seven weeks of life. Its sex will not be determined until it becomes more independent.
Native to Colombia in South America, cotton-top tamarins are classed as critically endangered, making each successful birth in managed care an important contribution to the wider population.
Visitors to Longleat over the Bank Holiday weekend may be able to catch a glimpse of the youngster in the Animal Adventure area, although keepers stress that the family’s welfare remains the priority.
For those who do spot it, it’s a small but significant reminder of the role conservation efforts continue to play—often quietly—in safeguarding some of the world’s most vulnerable species.
