RARE ‘GHOST-WHITE’ MONKEY BABY MAKES HALLOWEEN DEBUT AT PAIGNTON ZOO

A baby king colobus monkey is drawing crowds at Paignton Zoo this half term. Born in the early hours of Wednesday 22 October, the adorable infant arrived safely to 14-year-old mother Lola in the zoo’s iconic Monkey Heights exhibit.

Visitors are likely to spot the little one as she’s passed between mum and grandma Ivy – the striking white-on-black contrast is unmissable against her mother’s dark fur during the zoo’s half-term Halloween events.

King colobus infants are born completely white with black eyes and ears – a striking natural adaptation. This distinctive white colouring serves an important purpose: it helps mothers track their babies as they are passed around within the family group, which is normal behaviour for this species.

Over approximately six months, the baby will gradually develop the distinctive adult markings of this rare West African species, transforming into a jet-black coat with white facial fringes and a sweeping white shoulder cape.

“Every birth of an endangered species is something to celebrate. This adorable baby is already captivating our visitors and represents real hope for the future of king colobus monkeys.”

James Shora, Mammals Keeper at Paignton Zoo

WHY THIS BIRTH MATTERS

King colobus monkeys are classified as Endangered by the IUCN, with populations plummeting by more than 50% over the past three decades. The primary threats facing these remarkable primates are habitat loss, hunting, and forest fragmentation. Their native West African rainforests, spanning from Senegal to the Ivory Coast, have experienced catastrophic decline in recent years.

Paignton Zoo is one of only 13 facilities across the UK and Europe housing this increasingly rare species, making it a vital stronghold for genetic diversity. This birth demonstrates the critical importance of zoo-based conservation efforts.

“While this adorable baby is a huge draw for visitors, this birth demonstrates why breeding programmes matter. Without zoo-based conservation efforts, the future of this species – and many others – is uncertain.”

VISIT THIS HALLOWEEN

Halloween events are running throughout October, and the infant is particularly easy to spot against her mother’s dark fur. It’s the perfect time to meet one of the world’s rarest primates.

BOOK TICKETS