'Ghost'-like baby monkey stealing the Halloween show at Paignton Zoo

A baby king colobus monkey is drawing crowds at Paignton Zoo this half term, The adorable baby, who keepers believe to be a girl, was born to 14-year-old mother Lola in the zoo’s iconic Monkey Heights exhibit.  

Visitors are likely to spot the little one as she's passed between mum and grandma Ivy – the striking white-on-black contrast stealing the show during the zoo's half-term Halloween events.

King colobus infants are born white specifically to help mothers track them, as it's normal behaviour for babies to be passed around within the family group. 

James Shora, Mammals Keeper at Paignton Zoo, said: "Every birth of an endangered species is something to celebrate. This adorable baby is already captivating our visitors and represents real hope for the future of king colobus monkeys." 

Born completely white after arriving in the early hours of Wednesday October. 22  with black eyes and ears, the baby will gradually develop the distinctive markings of this rare West African species over approximately six months – transforming into a jet-black coat with white facial fringes and a sweeping white shoulder cape. For now, the dramatic contrast between mother and baby is unmissable. 

King colobus monkeys are classified as Endangered by the IUCN, with populations plummeting by more than 50 per cent over the past three decades due to habitat loss, hunting, and forest fragmentation.

Their native West African rainforests, spanning from Senegal to the Ivory Coast, have seen catastrophic decline in recent years. Paignton Zoo is one of only 13 facilities across the UK and Europe housing this increasingly rare species, making it a vital stronghold for genetic diversity. 

James added: "While this adorable baby is a huge draw for visitors, this birth demonstrates why breeding programmes matter. Without zoo-based conservation efforts, the future of this species – and many others – is uncertain." 

Both Lola and her infant are thriving and easily visible to visitors. Keepers intend to name the baby ‘Limba’, in honour of father Limbali who passed away earlier this month.