Edinburgh Zoo names adorable baby monkey in honour of the species’ homeland

The youngster was born to mum Sheli and dad Jamal in May while the zoo was closed.

A three-month-old L’Hoest’s monkey born at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Edinburgh Zoo in May has been named in tribute to the species’ native home in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Keepers at the wildlife conservation charity recently discovered the youngster was male and chose the name Butembo.

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He was born to mum Sheli and dad Jamal in May while the zoo was closed. It reopened, after three months of lockdown, on Monday 29 June.

The youngster was born to mum Sheli and dad Jamal in May while the zoo was closed. Laura Moore/RZSSThe youngster was born to mum Sheli and dad Jamal in May while the zoo was closed. Laura Moore/RZSS
The youngster was born to mum Sheli and dad Jamal in May while the zoo was closed. Laura Moore/RZSS

Kirsty McFaul, senior primate keeper at Edinburgh Zoo, said, “We decided to call our new arrival Butembo, which is a city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where the vulnerable species is found in the wild.

“He’s doing well and is extremely playful. He has been spotted exploring his enclosure by many of our visitors, but never too far from mum Sheli.

“We’re all really excited about Butembo’s arrival and it is fantastic to be able to welcome visitors to meet him too.”

While the zoo has reopened, the Kirsty said remains a difficult time for the charity.

“We would like to thank everyone for their amazing support so far and for helping us reopen,” she said.

People can help care for our animals and protect threatened species in Scotland and around the world by donating on our website.”

Those who would like to support the zoo can donate here.

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