A pair of “exceptionally rare” twin monkeys have been born at Chester Zoo, and they’re helping to safeguard their species from extinction.
The UK’s biggest charity zoo’s new duo are cotton-top tamarin monkeys, and they arrived to parents, Leo and Treat, following a five-month pregnancy, weighing just 40g at birth and measuring only 10cm from their heads to the tips of their tails.
Keepers at Chester Zoo have compared the twins to “the size of “golf balls”.
Called cotton-top tamarins due to their striking mane of white fur that starts at their forehead and runs over their shoulders, resembling a fluffy cotton ball, conservations say these monkeys are “instantly-recognisable” for their unique appearance.
The miniature monkeys are native to a small area in northern Colombia, where sadly only 5% of their original habitat remains intact due to mass logging for the agriculture, paper, and timber industries.
Unfortunately though, due to their “instantly-recognisable” appearance, this has led to a major decline in numbers, Chester Zoo has revealed, as they are often captured for the illegal wildlife trade and sold as pets.
As a result, the species is listed as ‘critically endangered’ on the International Union of Conservation and Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of the world’s most threatened species, as it’s estimated that just 2,000 remain in the wild.
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This makes them one of the rarest primate species on Earth.
Chester Zoo has announced the birth of some ‘exceptionally rare’ twin monkeys / Credit: Chester Zoo
“It’s wonderful to see the two tiny babies clinging to mum and dad as they leap from tree to tree,” explained Mike Jordan, who is the Animal and Plant Director at Chester Zoo.
“When cotton-top tamarins are born, they look just like adults, except they’re even teenier – around the size of golf balls.
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“Mum and dad have been sharing parental duties, and as a result the little ones are both thriving. It’s still early days, so the babies are too tiny for us to confidently determine if each of them is male or female but, in a few months time, we’ll know for sure when they grow in confidence and start to branch out and explore the treetops on their own.”
Conservationists at Chester Zoo are part of a Europe-wide plan to prevent the species from disappearing altogether.
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
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The hearing over Manchester City’s 115 FFP charges will officially start next week
Danny Jones
After more than a year of speculation as to when proceedings will finally start, it has been confirmed that the hearing regarding Manchester City and their 115 FFP charges is set to begin next week.
Man City were first slapped with the laundry list of alleged breaches of FFP (financial fair play) and failure to comply with Premier League rules on profit and sustainability (PSR) back in February 2023, but little movement on the case has been reported since then.
In that time, they also won the coveted Treble and their record-breaking fourth league title in a row; meanwhile, the club have continued to deny all claims of rule-breaking.
However, it has now been revealed that City‘s hearing will now kick off on Monday, 16 September.
BREAKING: The hearing over Manchester City's 115 charges will start on Monday 🚨 pic.twitter.com/9ujOCryVMF
As explained in various reports, given the extended nature of the claims made against the Manchester side, it is estimated that the case could run on for up to two months if not longer.
Furthermore, it is thought a decision isn’t expected to arrive until spring 2025 – again, this is simply due to the number of charges brought up over the best part of a decade.
In case you need a refresher, the allegations levelled at Man City date back to 2009 and concern a supposed nine years of financial irregularities, as well as subverting UEFA FFP rules.
Some of the accusations made against them also include failing to cooperate with the European football body and the Premier League, as well as offering ‘secret contracts’ so as to pay one particular manager a larger sum than what they recorded in their financial statements.
The final verdict, whenever it is reached, will be handed down by an independent commission and City will still be able to make an official appeal.
It goes without saying that were they to be found guilty, it would be the biggest financial scandal in English football history and could be seismic for the future of money in the sport and regulations surrounding ownership, which have already grown tighter following the charges being issued.
And in case you needed a more detailed refresher on what exactly they are being tried for and what the possibilities are regarding punishment if found guilty, here’s a quick rundown:
Featured Images — Arne Müseler (via Wikimedia Commons)
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You can live out your cowboy dreams on this northern wagon staycation
Thomas Melia
There’s a staycation in Yorkshire that’s perfect if you were one of those kids obsessed with cowboy hats, horses, and yelling ‘YEEHAW’ in your parents’ faces.
We all know that Haworth is home to some fantastic food, breathtaking views, and fascinating history – and is now housing a 19th century style wagon.
Called Pondenrosa, the American-style covered wagon sleeps two with a king-sized bed and a campfire, making it a great opportunity for couples to trial out glamping together.
This old-timey staycation isn’t stripped back all the way to the days of the Wild West as guests will be provided with a luxury that cowboys never had – an electric blanket.
You can even try your hand at campfire cooking with the retreat offering some complimentary beans to warm your soul.
If you’re no good at cooking or just want someone else to do it for you, Haworth’s main street is only a five minute drive away hosting some proper pub grub to delight your taste buds with.
There’s even a pub called the Wuthering Heights within walking distance a nod to the area’s connection to the Brontes.
You can live out your cowboy dreams on this northern wagon staycation / Credit: Canopy and Stars
After treating yourself to the best home-comfort meals in town, why not stroll along the cobbled street and pop into some local vendors supplying everything from sweets, chocolates and intricate handmade gifts.
It’s not surprising that this cosy West Yorkshire village is inheriting another piece of history, after all it was once the residence of literary greats the Brontës who took great pride in the natural landscape.
It’s not only literary works that Haworth is esteemed for, this small village is bustling with lots of arts and culture with BBC’s ‘Peaky Blinders’ and Channel 5’s ‘All Creature’s Great & Small’ filmed in the Yorkshire dales.
For any keen-eyed music fans, Pink Floyd filmed parts of their 1982 movie musical ‘The Wall’ in Haworth and the surrounding areas such as Keighley – only a 14 minute drive away.
Pondenrosa is a staycation in Yorkshire where you can stay overnight in a wagon / Credit: Canopy and Stars
You’re also only a short trip away from beautiful Hebden Bridge.
However you and the cowboys will have one thing in common – no phone signal, giving you a chance to fully unwind. Sometimes we all need a little digital detox.
So whether you want a chilled holiday or one packed full of mini adventures, why not do it in style… cowboy style.
Emily Sergeant -
12th August 2024 
