TWO extremely rare woolly monkeys which are known to be notoriously difficult to breed in captivity have been born at Monkey World.

Primate sanctuary, Monkey World, said it is delighted to announce the birth of two 'very rare and beautiful' woolly monkeys, Levi and Bonita, at the centre.

Based near Wool, Monkey World is best known for rescuing monkeys and apes from smuggling, abuse, or neglect. The woolly monkeys at the rescue centre are said to be the last of their kind kept in captivity where family groups are still thriving and reproducing.

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After Storm Eunice hit in February, the primate care staff arrived at Monkey World ready to face the damage caused by the strong winds - however, were instead greeted by woolly monkey Xingu and her new baby boy, Levi.

The new baby monkey is Xingu’s fifth infant, having successfully raised four other woolly monkeys, Xavi, Olivia, Layla and Leroy.

A spokesman for Monkey World said that Xingu seems to be taking motherhood in her stride, confidently moving around both indoor and outdoor enclosures with Levi clinging tightly to her back.

And, just two weeks after Xingu became a mum for the fifth time, she also became a grandmother.

Xingu's daughter, Olivia, gave birth to her first baby, Bonita, at the start of March.

The rescue centre said that the tiny infants are the 31st and 32nd woolly monkeys to be born at the sanctuary.

Both weigh approximately 400 grams at birth and are completely reliant on their mums for food, heat, transport, and care.

The centre said that the primate care team have been closely monitoring both mums and babies and have confirmed that they are doing very well and 'thriving'.

Park Director Dr Alison Cronin, who has worked with these rare primates for more than 25 years, is delighted that the mothers are caring for their own young.

She said: “Monkey World is now home to 26 woolly monkeys that live in four different groups at the park. Sadly, they do not do well in captivity and have died off in zoos and rescue centres in UK and around the globe.

"At Monkey World we are working very hard to identify the best way to care for these vulnerable monkeys so that we can help rescue centres in-situ in Columbia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru to rehabilitate those individuals that are confiscated from the black market trade."

Woolly monkeys are native to tropical forests in north-west South America. However, due to deforestation, the number of woolly monkeys in the wild are drastically declining and they are very difficult to breed in captivity.