Cork's Fota Island Wildlife Park announces birth of endangered François’ langur monkey  

CORK'S Fota Wildlife Park has announced the safe arrival of a baby monkey, who was born on November 22, and is asking the public to help choose its name. 

The birth of the baby François’ langur monkey, a breed which is classified as endangered by the IUCN, is a first for the popular park.

The mother, Mei, born in 2016, and her younger sister Kaili, born 2018, made their journey to Fota Wildlife Park from Twycross Zoo in the UK in September 2022 as part of a European Endangered Breeding Programme (EEP). They were joined by dad Shinobi, born 2016, who arrived from ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in the UK in December 2022.

Lead Ranger at Fota Wildlife Park, Teresa Power,  said “We hope the birth of this baby will help raise awareness about the critical need for conservation efforts for the François’ langur - there is a wild population of 1,400–1,650 in China and fewer than 500 left in Vietnam, which are currently under pressure from habitat loss, hunting, and poaching.” 

“Since the trio arrived from their respective zoos, the animal care team here have been working with them to carefully integrate them into the breeding group.

“The anticipation has been building as we monitored Mei’s behaviour over the months leading up to the birth and we are thrilled to announce the safe arrival of this endangered baby monkey at Fota Wildlife Park.” 

Ms Power said "proud aunt" Kaili has taken on the role of babysitter.

This this is what’s known as ‘allomothering’, where the females in the group will help to care for and raise the young.

“The baby is already keeping the group on their toes, and is amusing the animal care team as it tries to copy it’s mother Mei, especially when it comes to grabbing snacks during mealtimes!” 

She added that the baby’s coat is expected to transition from orange to black over the next few months, which is the natural development of François’ langur monkeys.

Fota Wildlife Park is calling on the public to help name the new baby via a form on the blog at www.fotawildlife.ie/news and be in with a chance to win a Conservation Annual Pass.