The births of two critically endangered monkeys were being celebrated at a zoo today.

It is the first time Sulawesi black crested macaques have been bred at Drusillas Park in Alfriston, near Polegate.

The cousins were born two weeks apart to sisters Kendari and Jude on April 26 and May 10 respectively.

The monkeys, which are native to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, have just one baby at a time.

They are born with a pink face which darkens with age and are very dependent on their mothers for their first four to five months, continuing to be nursed by them for at least a year.

Zoo manager Sue Woodgate said: "The group at Drusillas is part of a European breeding programme and we are thrilled to play our role in the conservation of this beautiful and protected species.

"Kendari and Jude moved to the park earlier this year and have settled in extremely well.

"Prior to their arrival they were living at Chester Zoo where our original male, Murgo now resides after living at Drusillas for over ten years.

"He was re-homed as part of the same programme to join a group of females and there's a possibility that he may even be the father of these latest babies.

"They certainly have his mischievous spirit!"

Sulawesi black crested macaques are regarded as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN).

In the last 40 years it is estimated the population in the wild has been reduced by more than 80% due to habitat loss and hunting pressure, and they now face the real possibility of extinction.