TWO baby common marmosets have been born at Tropiquaria zoo, Washford Cross, where parents Cubby and Mario are now hard at work rearing them.

This has come as a surprise to Tropiquaria’s zoological director Chris Moiser because dad Mario (pictured) and mum Cubby had been rescued and rehomed – and they were not expected to know what to do.

“With marmosets and their close relatives, there is a major family commitment to rearing babies. The babies are born and then handed over to Dad and /or older brother or sister who only hand them back to mother for feeding.

“Typically, if the parents have not seen and assisted in rearing their own younger siblings, they do not know what to do and fail to rear their youngsters.

“As one of the parents came to us from a college and the other was an ex-pet, we have been pleasantly surprised at their parenting abilities.”