Rare new arrivals for zoo

Mother and child are doing well

A trio of rare Francois Langur monkeys has been successfully bred by a Northern Ireland zoo.

The three new arrivals, yet to be named, join six other Francois Langurs at Belfast Zoo.

These mainly leaf-eating monkeys are endangered in the wild with fewer than 2,500 of them currently remaining.

Their habitat in northern Vietnam and southern China is under threat because of hunting, increased agriculture, logging and warfare.

Only one other Francois Langur has been been born in the UK in 2003.

Two of the Belfast trio were born in April and one in May to three different mothers.

The three mothers are called Flo, Shanghai Queen and Nagoya. The father of the babies is Bangshi who arrived last year from London Zoo.

The babies are bright orange in colour but soon change to the black colouring of their parents.

The zoo currently participates in a global breeding programme to try and ensure the survival of the species.

The Francois Langur enclosure at Belfast Zoo

Assistant Curator Andrew Hope told BBC News Online that the animals were quite easy to look after.

"As long as you get the husbandry right - diet, daily routine and keep them in stable family groupings then they're happy.

"The fact they are breeding says it all. They've adapted well to Belfast.

"When older, the babies will most likely move to other zoos to help out in breeding programmes."

The zoo has asked the public to get involved in the naming of the three new arrivals.

Entries should be sent to: Name the Babies, The Adoption Co-ordinator, Belfast Zoo, Antrim Road, Belfast BT36 7PN