From tiny tamarins to bouncing baby wallabies, Belfast Zoo is bursting with new arrivals and hope for the future.
Belfast Zoo is celebrating a very special spring baby boom, with a host of precious new arrivals born to some of the world’s rarest and most vulnerable species.
Among the newest arrivals is a cotton-top tamarin, one of the most endangered primates on the planet. Born to experienced parents Vicky and Spencer, this is their ninth baby since arriving at the Zoo. With fewer than 2,000 mature individuals left in the wild, according to the IUCN Red List, every birth of this critically endangered monkey is a beacon of hope.
“This baby boom is something truly special. Many of these species are in real danger of disappearing in the wild," said Lara Clark, Belfast Zoo Curator.
"Breeding success like this isn’t just adorable - it’s essential. It reflects the incredible care from our teams and the vital role modern Zoos play in conservation, education and species survival."
Emu chicks. BELFAST ZOO
In the Zoo’s ‘Animals of Australia’ habitat, there’s double the reason to celebrate. Emu pair, Bruce and Sheila have welcomed an incredible five fluffy chicks, while a baby wallaby joey is also beginning to peek out from its mother’s pouch. Both species are new additions to Belfast Zoo and are already delighting visitors.
Baby wallaby. BELFAST ZOO
And over in the meerkat mob - a group that only arrived a few months ago - we’ve had two new pups, their second litter this year, proving just how well they’ve settled into life at Belfast Zoo.
Meerkat pups. BELFAST ZOO
But the excitement doesn’t stop there…
In the Rainforest House, Linne’s two-toed sloth parents Priscita and Enrique have had their second baby in under a year - a rare and remarkable achievement for the species. Nearby, in the primate section, the Zoo is also celebrating the birth of a Colombian Spider Monkey, an endangered species threatened by habitat loss and hunting.
Linne's two-toed sloth baby. BELFAST ZOO
Ruairi Donaghy, Senior Keeper, added: “It’s been amazing to watch Priscita become a mum again so soon - she’s calm, caring and completely devoted. Seeing our young spider monkey thrive is equally rewarding.
"These births make all the long hours worth it. They remind us why we do what we do - to protect species and inspire people to care about wildlife.”
Columbian spider monkey baby. BELFAST ZOO
Helping Conservation at Home and Abroad
Many of the Zoo’s residents are part of coordinated European breeding programmes (EEPs), which work to safeguard healthy, genetically diverse populations of endangered species in human care. Belfast Zoo’s continued success in these programmes is a source of pride for both the team and the local community.
Visit the New Arrivals
Whether you’re hoping to spot a sleepy baby sloth, watch playful meerkat pups, or see five fast-growing emu chicks strut their stuff, there’s never been a better time to visit Belfast Zoo. These young animals aren’t just adorable - they’re ambassadors for their species and symbols of hope for a wilder, healthier planet.
Belfast Zoo is currently operating summer hours, opening seven days per week from 10am to 6pm. For more information, visit the Belfast Zoo website.
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