A ZOO has welcomed the arrival of a critically endangered macaque.
Eight-year-old Lingtang is the newest addition to the family of Sulawesi black crested macaques at Drusillas Zoo Park, near Alfriston.
The female primate arrived from the Durrell Conservation Trust on the Isle of Jersey late last month as part of an international breeding programme for the species.
Lingtang joins fellow macaques Motek, Kira and baby Kiwi, who was born in July.
Drusillas business manager Sue Woodgate said the new zoo resident has settled in well to the troop.
“We’ve seen the two females grooming together, and she’s just started grooming Motek – the dominant male - which is an amazing behaviour to be observing at this early stage,” she said.
Sue said her integration will be carefully monitored by experts, with zoo keepers visiting throughout the night to observe any potential warning signs of upset in the hierarchy.
“I witnessed Lingtang following Motek around the enclosure, which is really positive as it shows she is being accepted into the group,” Sue continued.
“We also saw baby Kiwi sitting beside her, which is fantastic as it shows they are starting to trust her, even with their young. Kira has occasionally been seeing grooming Lingtang, but it’s mainly the other way around as Lingtang is still proving herself worthy of full and final acceptance.”
The zoo is hoping for more baby macaques in the future, which would provide an important boost for the primates population.
“It will be a little while yet until Lingtang has established herself as a lifelong member of the family.
“We’re also really looking forward to seeing her little personality start to shine through once she feels completely settled.”
The Sulawesi black crested macaque is categorised as critically endangered in the wild, and is one of more than 20 different endangered and rare species living at the zoo.
The macaque population has declined by 80 per cent over the last 40 years.
The principal threat to their survival is over-hunting for meat.
Deforestation is another major threat to the species, with large areas of their habitat being cleared for coconut plantations, garden plots and roads.
Many of the animals at Drusillas are involved in breeding programmes, often monitored by studbook keepers, to ensure the future survival of the species
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