Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve welcomes baby drill monkey
14:14, 17 April 2020
updated: 14:19, 17 April 2020
A Kent animal park has welcomed a newborn drill monkey.
Staff at Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve - which is currently closed due to the coronavirus outbreak - are 'delighted' at the arrival of the infant.
The baby boy was born to mum Khari, aged 11, and dad Nebosja, aged 15.
The wildlife park, near Hythe, is currently home to four male drills, six females and the baby.
The new drill - which are among Africa’s most endangered mammals - is the thirteenth to be born at the reserve since welcoming the species.
But the birth is bittersweet, as the park is currently closed due to Covid-19 so will not be seen up close by visitors anytime soon.
Despite the closure, the keepers and vets are working hard to look after the animals, with some keepers living on site.
The park has also added extra biosecurity measures to help keep animals and keepers safe.
The animals at both Port Lympne and its sister site Howletts, in Canterbury, collectively cost at least £1.5m a year to feed and the closure of the parks poses a risk to the wellbeing of the animals.
Earlier this month, bosses said they were overwhelmed with donations so far from members of the public.
To support the parks, visit here.
