Safari park welcomes baby macaque to troop of endangered monkeys

A Scottish safari park near Stirling has welcomed a new baby to their troop of endangered monkeys.

Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park announced that two of their endangered macaques had welcomed an “adorable” baby girl.

Named Hayley by her keepers, the youngster was born on May 13 to proud parents Orcus and Phil, who are both dominant members of the park’s macaque troop.

Keeper Carolyn Booth shared her excitement over Hayley’s arrival, adding that while she is still small she is showing signs of being “adventurous and confident” with her keepers

Hayley was born on May 13 to proud parents Orcus and Phil. Supplied

Ms Booth added that Hayley should be in a comfortable position while growing up around the other macaques in the enclosure.

“Social status is extremely important within macaque groups; they live in highly structured hierarchies often based on lineage to the dominant female,” she said.

“With both her parents being high up in the hierarchy, little Hayley should be in a comfortable position growing up.

“Unlike other macaque species, male barbary macaques are active parents and play a significant role in rearing young,” she added.

Visitors will be able to spot mum or dad snuggling Hayley in the macaque drive-thru, which allows visitors to drive their own cars through the reserve and observe the animals up close.

Blair Drummond’s macaques, who arrived from Gibraltar in 2014, have become cherished residents of the park.

In the wild, Barbary macaques are endangered, with as few as 8,000 remaining.

Blair Drummond Safari Park supports the Barbary Macaque Awareness and Conservation project through their Link to the Wild Initiative, fundraising to help wild macaques.

Hayley’s birth marks the latest chapter in the park’s ongoing commitment to conservation and education about these primates.