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Birth of rare monkey makes history at Chester Zoo
A coppery titi monkey is the first of its kind to ever be born at Chester Zoo
The tiny ‘golf ball-sized’ youngster will grow to stand at only 30cm tall
The newborn arrived to parents Scout and Ned who are part of an international conservation breeding programme that’s working to protect the species
Native to South America the monkeys are under threat from habitat destruction, hunting and illegal pet trade
Conservationists are celebrating the birth of a rare coppery titi monkey at Chester Zoo - the first of its kind to be born at the conservation charity in 94 years.
Zookeepers spotted the baby clinging to the back of its parents during their early morning checks.
It’s the first time one of the rare South American monkeys has ever been born at the zoo, following on from the arrival of parents Scout and Ned in March. The pair are a key part of an international conservation breeding programme that’s working to safeguard the species.
The tiny youngster, described as the ‘size of a golf ball,’ will grow to stand at around 30cm tall once fully developed.
Native to South America where they play an important role in dispersing seeds and maintaining healthy rainforests, coppery titi monkeys face major threats to their survival. Deforestation, hunting for bushmeat and the illegal wildlife trade are causing populations to decline according to The International Union for Nature (IUCN), the world’s leading authority on the state of nature.
Zookeepers say the baby will soon start to branch out and begin to explore on its own, which is when they’ll discover if it’s male or female.
Holly Webb, Primate Keeper at Chester Zoo, said:
“It’s always a joy to welcome any new addition, but the birth of the very first coppery titi monkey here at Chester Zoo is an extra special moment. Right now, the baby is no bigger than a golf ball - but it’s bright-eyed, healthy and already full of confidence, clinging tightly as mum and dad as they leap through the treetops.
“One of the most fascinating things about titi monkeys is their parenting behaviour, with dads playing a really active role in raising their young. It’s dad Ned who is doing most of the carrying, while mum Scout steps in for nursing and to give Ned a well-earned rest. With the baby still so tiny and tucked firmly into its parents’ fur, it’ll be a few more weeks until it begins to explore on its own. Once it starts venturing out, we’ll be able to determine whether it’s male or female and then choose the perfect name for this precious new arrival.
“Their strong co-parenting bond, alongside their incredible social lives and small stature, is what makes this species so incredibly fascinating. But they face an uncertain future in the wild, with increasing pressures from logging and the illegal pet trade. We’re hopeful though, that this family unit will grow over time and continue to play a vital role in the conservation breeding programme that’s safeguarding the species.”
Coppery titi monkeys are known for their striking red fur and bushy tails, as well as their lifelong pair bonds. They are monogamous and are renowned for their loud vocalisations -performed at dawn by male and female pairs to mark their territory.
Coppery titi monkey facts:
The baby was born on 14 August 2025
Latin name: (Plecturocebus cupreus)
Habitat: Native to South America’s rainforests, particularly in Peru and Brazil.
Named for their striking red, fluffy fur, bushy tails, and grey faces with small flat noses.
Monogamous primates that form lifelong pairs and are known for daily dawn “duets” to mark territory.
Strong social bonds: pairs are often seen grooming, cuddling and intertwining tails.
Dads play the biggest role in childcare, carrying infants on their backs for up to six months.
Long tails are not prehensile (cannot grasp or hold).
Play a vital role in rainforest biodiversity as seed dispersers.
Newborns are tiny - around the size of a golf ball - and adults reach around 40cm tall (plus a tail almost the same length).
Nature Recovery Corridor: Conservationists transforming local landscape to boost wildlife in Cheshire
10-mile ‘Nature Recovery Corridor’ aiming to protect declining species and habitats in Cheshire
Ambitious project giving biodiversity and wellbeing boost to communities in and around Chester
Conservationists report significant progress in 12 months since being awarded £1m government grant to launch the scheme
Wildife boosted by new wildflower meadows, native orchards, hedgerows, ponds and wetlands
Rare Nathusius’ pipistrelle bat among species recorded in the area for the first time
One year after Chester Zoo was given a near £1m grant from the government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund to create and connect wildlife habitats across the city of Chester, conservationists have revealed major progress in their efforts to recover local biodiversity.
The ambitious ‘Nature Recovery Corridor’ scheme - a partnership between a host of organisations including the zoo, Cheshire West & Chester Council, the Canal & River Trust, Sustrans, the Land Trust and Cheshire West Communities Together – is aiming to restore wildlife-rich habitats between Chester and Ellesmere Port and contribute to the recovery of declining species in need of urgent help.
A number of local schools and community volunteers are involved and taking conservation action as part of the project, which gives disadvantaged groups the opportunity to gain better access to nature.
Now, 12 months since being awarded funding to for the project, the team of conservationists heading up efforts to boost wildlife in and around Chester has revealed a number of highlights. Among them:
More than 23 hectares of meadow and long grass habitat, which provides essential habitat for pollinators has been established
2.5 hectares of canal has been cleared from the invasive plant floating pennywort, making the canal safer and more biodiverse, allowing an array of native wildlife such as otters and kingfishers to thrive
250m of wetland has been created to provide habitat for secretive birds such as snipe and water rail
Reedbeds have been brought under sensitive management, enhancing nesting opportunity for migrant birds such as grasshopper and reed warblers
New pond areas have been created to help aquatic life, including frogs, toads, newts and dragonflies, as well as providing a water source for mammals such as foxes and badgers
Hedgerows have been restored, providing nectar in the spring for bees and berries in the winter for birds
30 native apple and pear trees have been planted to form a new orchard, providing vital new habitat
In addition to these habitat improvements, community groups, schools and community leaders have been taking conservation action across the city including planting for pollinators, creating bog gardens, wildflower areas and bug hotels and installing ponds and bird boxes.
Helen Bradshaw, a UK wildlife conservation expert at Chester Zoo, is leading on a scientific project to monitor and research the new habitats as they’re being created. She said:
“We’re on a mission to create new spaces for our amazing native wildlife to thrive here in Cheshire and our journey to transform this huge stretch of land between Chester and Ellesmere Port is now well underway.
“What’s special about the Nature Recovery Corridor is its focus on restoring or creating a whole range of different habitat types – from greenspaces in communities to reedbed and grasslands and all of the areas that connect these places together. The ecological crisis we’re attempting to tackle means that many habitats are at risk and so that variety and interconnectivity is key to successfully recovering declining species.
“Through work we’ve been carrying out to survey what species are in the area, we’ve been able to confirm that rare nathusius’ pipistrelle bats are present on land within the corridor, which is incredibly exciting. For the first time, we’ve been able to manage areas of grassland which secretive harvest mice rely on and the wetlands we’ve created have already filled with water and we hope these habitats will flourish in the years ahead. We’re collecting lots of scientific data and, hopefully, in another 12 months’ time we’ll be able to confirm lots of other exciting species living in the area too.”
Backed by a growing army of community groups and volunteers, the project has produced positive results by increasing both access to quality greenspaces and the number of opportunities people have to engage in activities in nature. One research respondent said:
“It's been great to get outside, appreciate nature, and basically just get back to basics, as to what's all around us every day.”
Hannah Brooks, Chester Zoo’s Community Engagement Manager, is overseeing the scheme. She added:
“We’re losing wildlife at an alarming rate, not just globally but here in the UK, and so there’s never been a more pressing time for people to come together and take a stand for nature.
“This project is showing what a difference real collaboration between various organisations, specialists, volunteers and engaged, wide-ranging local community groups can do. Already more than 7,000 people have joined us in getting involved and the pride that local communities are taking in the project and the greenspaces on their doorsteps is exactly what’s needed if we’re to see long-lasting transformative change. With everyone invested and everyone connected to nature, we can fight back and reverse species decline.
“Together, we’ve done some amazing things so far. Now our ambition is to build on this great work, develop our approach for our local communities, and connect and create habitats and greenspaces across a 10-mile stretch linking the city of Chester and Ellesmere Port.”
The Nature Recovery Corridor is being funded by the government’s Green Recovery Challenge Fund and has already created 13 jobs, including five trainees. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm's-Length Bodies. It is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England, the Environment Agency and the Forestry Commission.
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