Yellow Breasted Capuchin Monkeys arrive
Date: 7th March 2008
Brothers ‘Pataxo' (aged 8 years) and ‘Tuxa' (aged 7 years) arrived at Newquay Zoo on the 2nd March.
Animal Collections Manager John Meek explains "They came from Edinburgh Zoo and their reputation preceded them as this pair are known for being very confident and quite a handful for keepers. This we could tell as soon as they were released into the enclosure at Newquay as they immediately explored and settled in straight away. They have great characters and we are delighted to have them here. I am sure they will prove very popular with visitors and staff."
This species originates from the last 2% of the endangered coastal Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil and is classed as Critically Endangered. This highly fragmented rainforest habitat has been mostly deforested for farmland. Another threat is trapping for the pet trade and for meat. Capuchins are very intelligent and can use a variety of tools, such as stones to crack hard nuts. Hunting & habitat loss make them one of the world's top 25 most endangered primates.
Newquay Zoo is participating in the European breeding of the species and giving financial support to the conservation efforts in Brazil.
Capuchin-o coffee monk-eys?
The strange capuccio hood of Capuchin monks and friars has given these white and dark headed monkeys their unusual name and also that of frothy Cappuccino coffee!
