Cheeky little monkey needs a moniker

THESE cheeky little monkeys are, in fact, mother and daughter, the youngster having been born over the new year at the Shaldon Wildlife Trust zoo, near Teignmouth, the smallest zoo in the South West.

Proud mum Kizzy and her yet-to-be-named offspring are yellow breasted capuchin monkeys, the word capuchin deriving from a group of friars named the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin who wore brown robes with large hoods covering their heads. When explorers reached the South Americas in the 15th century, they found small monkeys who resembled these monks and named them capuchins. There is little else about the monk that relates to these little monkeys who are up to mischief all day.

The baby is the first capuchin born at Shaldon and is thriving on a diet of fruit and the odd insect.

The zoo is still looking for a suitable name and has invited Echo readers to come up with ideas. Suggestions can passed to the zoo on 01626 872234.