The two mini monkeys had never met before and travelled a great distance to join our Zoo family. Both arriving in May, Esteban our 4 year old male Cotton Top came from Blackpool Zoo in the UK, while Celeste our 5 year old female arrived from Bratislava Zoo in Slovakia.

Introductions between Esteban and Celeste have gone really well and together the pair is settling in their new home at the Cotton Top habitat by the Squirrel Monkeys. We hope our new mini monkeys will contribute to the breeding programme and help with the conservation efforts for their species. Our other Cotton Top Tamarin duo, Delta and Diego are moving just around the corner to the Mini Monkey habitat, as only a dominant male and female will reproduce in a group.

Next time you’re at the Zoo, see if you can spot Esteban and Celeste at the Cotton Top habitat and learn more about these little rock star lookalikes and how the Zoo is helping to save their species in the wild.

Did you know?

Cotton Top Tamarins are only found in Colombia and they are one of the most endangered primates due to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade. It has been estimated that there are only 6,000 Cotton Top Tamarins left in the wild.

Here at the Zoo, we actively support Proyecto Titi, a conservation project in Colombia focused on saving the Cotton Top Tamarins and their wild habitats. The organisation monitors wild populations of Cotton Top Tamarins and they develop community education programmes with financial support from the Zoo’s Conservation Fund.

By purchasing sustainable timber and paper products marked with the FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) logo – you too can help protect the Cotton Top Tamarin’s native habitat.