L’Hoest’s monkey baby at Edinburgh Zoo named by keepers

06/08/2020 in Edinburgh Zoo

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.

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 reopened on Monday 29 June, it is still an incredibly difficult time for the charity.

Kirsty added, “We would like to thank everyone for their amazing support so far and for helping us reopen.

“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 help can donate at edinburghzoo.org.uk/support