HAPPY ENDING FOR LAB MONKEYS
Folly Farm has taken delivery of three Common Marmoset monkeys in one of the largest co-ordinated re-homing exercises of zoo animals in the UK and Europe
19 April 2011, Folly Farm, Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire: Folly Farm today announced the addition of three Common Marmoset monkeys to its new education-based sensory exhibit, Folly Interactive. The Marmosets were part of a huge co-ordinated re-homing exercise by the Specialist Animal Re-homing Unit based at Heathrow following the closure of a science laboratory earlier this year. Folly Farm's close connections with the unit meant the adventure park and zoo near Tenby were high on the list as suitable venues to re-home the Marmosets. The Marmosets had been bred specially for scientific research although the 500 monkeys which needed re-homing were never tested on.
Tim Morphew, Zoo Manager at Folly Farm, explained; "The future of these tiny primates would have been uncertain without the many zoos stepping forward to offer them a home. We were only too happy to provide an enclosure as part of our Folly Interactive exhibit in the rainforest zone and they seem delighted with their new surroundings which are much more akin to their natural habitat than a laboratory."
The Marmosets are in a mixed exhibit with Folly Farm's Armadillo siblings Donny and Marie. Their inquisitive and playful nature make them a real draw for visitors who watch them running and jumping amongst the branches. A window at the back of the enclosure has been included onto the zoo's food preparation kitchen and the marmosets spend a lot of their time watching the keepers at work.
Caroline Gregory, one of the Folly Interactive Keepers, added; "The Marmosets have settled really well and one of the funniest things to see is our visitors watching the monkeys, watching the keepers in the food kitchen! But then that's what our new exhibit is all about...interaction!"
AND THAT'S A FACT…
- Common Marmosets are sometimes referred to Cotton-Eared Marmosets in respect of the white tufts at the side of their head
- Common Marmosets are Omnivores dieting on insects and the sap from trees otherwise known as "gum"
- Common marmosets have well developed scent marking behaviours which is why you will often see the ones at Folly Farm bearing their bottoms at you!
Folly Interactive is a new education-based sensory exhibit which includes a reptile house, an ocean room and a tropical rainforest. Interactive exhibits and an array of animals, from Burmese Pythons to Common Marmoset Monkeys, from Armadillos to a Blue and gold Macaw help tell the story of the rainforest products, conservation, colour and the purpose of poo!
-Ends-
For press enquiries please contact:
Zoë Wright
PR and Marketing Manager
01834 815032
zoe@folly-farm.co.uk
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