The Patter of Tiny Paws

After the last couple of weeks of mental health anguish, MRSA, and MPs fighting for what's right, it's high time for animals, fluff, paws, toes, softness, cuddlyness and cuteness. The following was produced for the Wood & Vale Nov 16th. Enjoy....(AWWWWW.....)

Having reached the tender age of six weeks, London Zoo’s newest arrival, a tiny black tailed marmoset, is doing just fine…and has even started branching out on his own two paws.

Staff at the zoo were pleased to welcome the vary rare species of monkey to the world on September 30th- the first ever to be born at the zoo. There are hopes it is the first of many for mum and dad- five year old Victoria, and two year old Albert.

Native to South America, the species belongs to the New World monkey family, and is housed in the zoo’s brand new £2 million Clore Rainforest facility, where the family can’t help but feel at home, as they munch insects in the balmy 34 degree heat.

Keeper Maggie Lamb said: “In the last week, the baby has started to show a lot more independence, running around all alone. Victoria and Albert will continue breeding, hopefully until the age of 15 or 16, though they tend to slow down a little once they reach double figures.”

Zoo keepers operate a hands-off policy when it comes to raising the young, preferring to keep a watchful eye on things as mum and dad go about their duties.

As Ms Lamb explains: “As the parents go on to breed, our new arrival will have the chance to learn from the parents how to raise a child. This is often one of the problems with hand reared offspring. The young do not get the chance to learn first hand.”

So expect the patter of tiny paws to reverberate around the Clore Rainforest once again in the near future.

There is, however, one small problem at present. The new arrival is yet to be christened. Due to the hands-off raising policy, nobody can be sure whether they are naming a male cheeky monkey, or a female!

Hitchin' a ride!