Top 5 baby moments of 2017
Four bouncy baby Barbary macaques have been born at Trentham Monkey Forest in Staffordshire this year.
The babies are often the star of the show and provide hours of entertainment for both our staff and visitors.
We are now closed for the year and the team have noted down their top 5 baby moments of the year:
1 – First steps
2017’s youngest arrival took their first steps at only 5 days old, more than 2 weeks earlier than most Barbary macaque babies.
2 – Helping out a friend
A mum-to-be took it upon herself to give a helping hand to a new mum by helping to care for her baby. Even after she had given birth to her own baby, she continued to look after both little ones. The park guides were often asked if the baby boys were twins, however, this is not the case. The female simply did a spot of babysitting.
3 – Baby bonds
These two baby boys have formed a very close bond. They can be seen together playing, sleeping and often cuddling up to one of the adults.
4 – Chief babysitters
This year two females aged only 2 years old have taken it upon themselves to be chief babysitters. With little experience, these females tried their best to keep the babies entertained, brilliant practice for motherhood.
5 – The first sighting
Each year the first baby sighting is just as magical as the last. This year, whilst doing their usual morning feed two guides were lucky enough to spot 2017’s first baby, a little boy born on the 27th May.
Trentham Monkey Forest is home to 140 free roaming Barbary macaques, an endangered species originating from Morocco and Algeria. Every new arrival is a brilliant addition to the species.
The babies are now 5-6 months old and extremely adventurous. See their latest adventure by heading to our Facebook page. The forest reopens for February half term on the 17th – 25th February 2018. Plan your visit here.