Fota Wildlife Park has called on the public to help with the naming of two baby lion-tailed macaques.
The macaques, born in September and October respectively, are expected to be the last two births of the decade at the Cork wildlife park.
One of the rarest primate species in the world, the lion-tailed macaques are listed as endangered on the IUCN red list.
The two new arrivals were born to mothers Kelly and Lizzy, and father Mauzer.
Fota Wildlife Park is now asking the public to suggest names for the new macaques and the people who come up with the selected names will be in with the chance of winning a Conservation Annual Pass to the park.
We are delighted to announce two new baby male Lion-tailed macaques. Classified endangered by #IUCN. Pop in and visit them and new parents – the Dad Mauzer and mothers Kelly and Lizzy! Enter your name suggestions here please! #FotaWildlife https://t.co/ctBNa8RXgp pic.twitter.com/MTivPCMfvZ
— Fota Wildlife Park (@fotawildlife) December 27, 2019
Teresa Power, Lead Ranger said about the births: “The two new babies at Fota are settling in really well and are fussed over and protected by the whole troop, in fact it is common to see a younger female kidnap a baby for a little while to practise her mothering skills as this is how they learn.
“Lizzy is one of our main breeding females and already has three daughters in the group while this is Kelly’s first baby. Neither baby has a name yet and we are calling on the public to help us name them both, just go to our blog to enter your details there on www.fotawildlife.ie/blog.”
To enter, click here.