Cork’s Fota Wildlife Park has announced the arrival of two Drill monkeys

Say hello to Julian and Buddy!

Fota Wildlife Park has announced the news of two new Drill monkeys - a female called Buddy and a male called Julian. The animals were welcomed as part of an international co-operative breeding programme, with Buddy and Julian originally coming from Stuttgart Zoo in Germany. Unfortunately, Drill monkeys are among Africa’s most endangered mammals and are listed by the IUCN as the highest conservation priority of all African primates. Fota Wildlife Park's Lead Ranger Teresa Power said: "Currently this stunning looking pair of Drills are adapting really well, and their transfer and arrival couldn’t have gone any better really. "The house here has been specially designed for this species with the heating set at a temperature of 20 degrees. "We are refurbishing their island where they will have outdoor access to one of the largest Islands in Fota with trees and climbing platforms. "They will be joined soon by three females from Bristol Zoo and we hope to integrate them all into one breeding group. "As Buddy was hand reared, she carries her teddy bear with her for comfort and our Rangers are working to develop a special bond with her to make her feel at home." Our actual hearts.