Fota Wildlife Park has just announced the arrival of two endangered drill monkeys to their site.
It’s the first time the species has ever been kept in Ireland and the worldwide captive population of the endangered species currently stands at just 76.
Julian, 22, and Buddy, 28, came from Stuttgart Zoo in Germany and will soon be joined by three more females from Bristol Zoo.
It’s hoped that they will all be integrated into one breeding group in the future.
Lead Ranger Teresa Power said, “Currently this stunning looking pair of Drills are adapting really well, and their transfer and arrival couldn’t have gone any better really.”
*** News*** Announcing the arrival of a pair of Drill monkeys, Julian (22 years old) and Buddy (28) who have been settling in extremely well to their new purpose-built ‘Drill-house’ – a brand new viewing structure which has just been opened to the public at Fota Wildlife Park. pic.twitter.com/6vpol7PgDi
— Fota Wildlife Park (@fotawildlife) April 11, 2019
Teresa added, “As Buddy was hand reared, she carries her teddy bear with her for comfort. Our Rangers are working to develop a special bond with her to make her feel at home.
“This is the first time we have kept this species here at Fota, indeed it’s a first for any zoo in Ireland and the captive population worldwide currently stands at only 76 individuals so we’re hoping to highlight the important work by wildlife parks and zoos in preventing this unique primate from becoming extinct.”
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