Credit: RZSS/Cover Images The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has announced the birth of a rare baby L’Hoest’s monkey at Edinburgh Zoo. The new arrival was born on Friday, 26 September, to mum Sheli and dad Jamal. Keepers say the youngster is doing well and will be named in the coming weeks, once its sex has been determined. The birth brings the zoo’s L’Hoest’s monkey group to five individuals. L’Hoest’s monkeys, sometimes known as mountain monkeys, are native to the high-altitude forests of Central and East Africa. They are classified as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with their numbers declining due to habitat loss caused by agriculture and logging, as well as hunting for bushmeat. Females typically give birth to a single infant after a gestation period of around five months. Newborns cling closely to their mothers for several months as they grow and develop. The infants are born with striking orange fur, which gradually darkens to black at about three months old. The RZSS works to protect endangered species both in Scotland and around the world through breeding programmes, education and conservation initiatives. Edinburgh Zoo’s L’Hoest’s monkeys form part of a managed European breeding programme aimed at safeguarding the future of the species. Visitors to the zoo may catch glimpses of the new arrival clinging to its mother in the outdoor enclosure, although keepers say Sheli and her baby will continue to enjoy plenty of quiet time together as they bond. The zoo hopes that the birth will help raise awareness of the threats facing L’Hoest’s monkeys in the wild and inspire visitors to support global conservation efforts.