This is just what we needed today.

If the Christmas celebrations have left you feeling delicate, make a beeline for Fota Wildlife Park, which has just welcomed its first Cork-born François’ langur Monkey.

The endangered monkey was born on November 22nd to mother, Mei and dad, Shinobi.

The little family is now venturing outdoors together, with the youngster often visible through the viewing window of their purpose-built house in the Asian Sanctuary.

Photo: Darragh Kane

“We hope the birth of this baby will help raise awareness about the critical need for conservation efforts for the François’ langur.” said lead ranger, Teresa Power.

“There is a wild population of 1,400–1,650 in China and fewer than 500 left in Vietnam. As a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) we will be participating in their 2024 “Vietnamizing” conservation campaign, drawing attention to threats to the country’s amazing biodiversity and animal species, such as the François’ langur, whose wild populations are currently under pressure from habitat loss, hunting, and poaching.”

Since the trio of Mei, sister Kaili, and adult male, Shinobi arrived from their respective zoos in late 2022 the animal care team here has been working with them to carefully integrate them into the breeding group.

“We have been keeping a close eye on the group in the hope that they would successfully breed,” added Power.

“Kaili, the proud aunt, has taken on the role of babysitter, this is what’s known as ‘allomothering’, where the females in the group will help to care for and raise the young. The baby is already keeping the group on their toes, trying to copy the adult behaviours.

“The youngster is amusing the animal care team as it tries to copy its mother Mei, especially when it comes to grabbing snacks during mealtimes!”

The baby’s coat is expected to transition from orange to black over the next few months, which is the natural development of François’ langur monkeys.

Check out the opening hours at Fota here.