FRIDAY THE 13 Posted July 22 Posted July 22 A Shropshire zoo has welcomed a family of eight squirrel monkeys, who have been transported 250 miles to reach their new home. The troop of monkeys are settling in at Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World in Telford, after travelling from Port Lympne Safari Park in Kent. The "lively group" consists of Gustavo, Horacio, Maria, Tucette, Antonio, Garcia, Pedro, and Pablo. Hoo Zoo director Will Dorrell said they would be ambassadors for their species, and he hoped their arrival would educate the public about the importance of rainforest conservation. Mr Dorrell said: "Unfortunately, squirrel monkey numbers are showing a decline due to poaching for the illegal pet trade. Our zoo keepers can confirm that they would make awful pets." He added that the zoo was delighted to welcome the brand-new species of primate. In the wild, squirrel monkeys are native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, where they typically live in large, socially complex groups. Whilst not currently endangered, they are considered to be vulnerable to extinction in the wild according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Squirrel monkeys face increasing threats from habitat loss in the Amazon. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cew5jp9jx5yo
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