Silvery marmoset baby to roam Whipsnade
Wednesday 23 February 2000
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DATE: THURSDAY 24TH FEBRUARY 2000
TIME: 10.30AM
PLACE: WHIPSNADE WILD ANIMAL PARK, BEDFORDSHIRE. (MEET AT THE ESTATE OFFICE)
SILVERY MARMOSET BABY ON FIRST OUTING AT WHIPSNADE
Whipsnade Wild Animal Park's family of silvery marmosets have a new, three-week old baby. The Park's latest arrival, born at the end of January, is the fourth for Whipsnade's breeding pair and has been making its first explorations of the house and enclosure by clinging tightly to the backs of its parents and siblings. Silvery marmosets at Whipsnade roam freely, and keepers will be on-hand for the new baby to make its first public outing.
Marmosets climb the ropes and trees around their enclosure and as the weather becomes warmer, the family will increasingly be found in the trees above visitors' heads. They feed on insects in the trees and use their unusual chisel-like teeth to extract sap, resin and gum from the bark.
The family activities of the Whipsnade group are typical of the silvery marmoset species which is renowned for its social behaviour - mutual grooming keeps their skin free from dirt and parasites and helps to establish group relationships. The father of the family sets a fine example by looking after and cleaning the new baby and the family members take turns to carry the youngster around, sometimes returning it to mum only for feeding. Like the rest of its family, the new baby has silky white fur, a pink face and ears, and black tail which will be used for balance once Whipsnade's youngest marmoset starts exploring on its own.
Silvery marmosets are found south of the Amazon river in Eastern Brazil where local populations are threatened by deforestation and live capture for the pet trade.
The newborn will be available for photography on its first outing with its mother and keeper.
For further information/photography, please contact:
Miranda Kennett-Scott
Whipsnade Wild Animal Park T: 01582 872 171
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