Dartmoor Zoo’s tiny new couple could change the future for rare marmosets

Dartmoor Zoo has welcomed a tiny new resident, a Black-Tailed Marmoset named Edwina, who has joined forces with Ernie, creating one of only two Black-Tailed Marmoset breeding pairs in Europe.

Edwina arrived from Amazonia, Scotland, on Thursday 3 July.

After a few days of introductions through the enclosure mesh, she was physically introduced to Ernie, who originally came from Magdeburg Zoo in Germany.

The pair bonded immediately and have been inseparable since, with positive mating interactions already observed by keepers.

They share their enclosure with Filis and Splodge, a pair of white-faced Saki monkeys, and Kinder and Munchie, a pair of Agoutis.

Although originally planned for their own enclosure, the animals have bonded so well that the zoo has decided to keep them together permanently.

Dartmoor Zoo CEO David Gibson said: “We are absolutely delighted to add Edwina the female Black-Tailed Marmoset to our collection here at Dartmoor Zoo. Despite being one of the smallest members of our collection, her arrival is very significant. Black-Tailed Marmosets are classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN and there are only 27 of these animals held in Zoos globally and in Europe there is only one other breeding pair of the species.

“Edwina was brought in with the purposes of pairing with our male Ernie, originally from Magdeburg Zoo, Germany. The pair have already bonded, and we very much look forward to this small family growing in years to come.”

Black-Tailed Marmosets (Mico melanurus) are native to parts of the Amazon Rainforest.

They are dark grey brown in colour, with a distinctive black tail, their namesake, and measure between 6 and 10 inches in length, weighing 300 to 400 grams.

Zookeeper Jenna Crawford said: “It has been unbelievable to see our gentle, deserving little boy Ernie paired so successfully with the vivacious, cheeky Edwina! The two of them were a genuinely perfect match from minute one. We are so proud to house this species and are incredibly optimistic for their future.”

Visitors can see Ernie and Edwina at Dartmoor Zoo.

By upgrading to an annual pass, guests can enjoy unlimited free visits and watch this new family grow.