Dartmoor Zoo have welcomed a tiny new resident named Edwina; a Black-Tailed Marmoset to their site, creating a breeding pair with fellow resident Ernie.
Travelling from Amazonia, Scotland, Dartmoor Zoo welcomed a Black-Tailed Marmoset (Mico melanurus) named Edwina on Thursday 3rd July, where after a few days of through-mesh introductions, she was physically introduced to fellow resident Ernie, creating one of only two Black-Tailed Marmoset breeding pairs in Europe.
Upon introduction, Ernie and Edwina bonded immediately and have been inseparable ever since, with positive mating interactions already witnessed by the keeper team. They’re joined in their enclosure by Filis and Splodge, a pair of white-Faced Saki Monkeys and Kinder and Munchie, a pair of Agoutis. Originally planned to have their own enclosure, the pair have bonded so well with our other residents that we have decided they should all stay together permanently!
Dartmoor Zoo’s CEO David Gibson commented:
“We are absolutely delighted to add Edwina the female Black-Tailed Marmoset to our collection here at Dartmoor Zoo.
Despite being one of the smallest members of our collection, her arrival is very significant. Black-Tailed Marmosets are classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN and there are only
27 of these animals held in Zoos globally and in Europe there is only one other breeding pair of the species.
Edwina was brought in with the purposes of pairing with our male Ernie, originally from Magdeburg Zoo, Germany. The pair have already bonded, and we very much look forward to this small family growing in years to come.”
Considered ‘Near Threatened’ on the IUCN Red List, Black-Tailed Marmosets are predominantly found in parts of the Amazon Rainforest. They are dark grey/brown in colour, with a distinctive black tail – their namesake and on average are between 6 – 10 inches in size, weighing a mere 300 – 400 grams.
Zookeeper Jenna Crawford commented:
”It has been unbelievable to see our gentle, deserving little boy Ernie paired so successfully with the vivacious, cheeky Edwina! The two of them were a genuinely perfect match from minute one. We are so proud to house this species and are incredibly optimistic for their future.”
With unlimited free visits if you upgrade your Dartmoor Zoo tickets to an annual pass, why not see if you can spot our new pair with their fellow companions and begin your year of Dartmoor Zoo, today!
To find out more about Dartmoor Zoo visit www.dartmoorzoo.org.uk
To purchase your annual pass visit https://dartmoorzoo.digitickets.co.uk/tickets
To gift a donation towards Dartmoor Zoo and their conservation work, please visit https://dartmoorzoo.digitickets.co.uk/category/61052?navItem=791764