A BABY boom is underway at Colchester Zoo today.A baby emperor tamarin became the third birth at the zoo in ten days recently following the births of fellow primates, a buffy-headed capuchin and a cherry-crowned manngabey.

A BABY boom is underway at Colchester Zoo today.

A baby emperor tamarin became the third birth at the zoo in ten days recently following the births of fellow primates, a buffy-headed capuchin and a cherry-crowned manngabey.

The new tamarin has not yet been named as its sex is not known because keepers do not come into contact with primate babies during the first couple of months while they bond with their mothers.

The baby's mother, 16-years-old Rosie is an experienced mother who has been at Colchester Zoo for 13 years, but this is her first child with Alfie the male tamarin who is four-years-old.

A spokeswoman for the zoo said: “Any birth of a tamarin is excellent news for the species as they are all much endangered in the wild due to habitat loss and destruction, but this birth is particularly good news as it is the result of a brand new pairing.

“It is hoped that they will remain a successful pairing and that they will go on to have more offspring in the future.

“Their successful breeding will enhance the success of the crucial European breeding programme that they are a part of to help tamarins' status in the wild.”

Have you seen the babies at the zoo? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.

Emperor tamarins are thought to have been named after the Emperor of Germany, Emperor Wilhelm II, due to their long, white moustaches.