Is there anything cuter than a baby Spider Monkey with the hiccups? We think not.

Wellington Zoo’s (New Zealand) newest arrival is an ambassador for the plight of the endangered Spider Monkey population. One of the greatest threats to the population is deforestation.

One simple thing we can all do to help is purchase paper and wood products that have the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo. This means you're supporting sustainably sourced products that haven't come from the homes of wild animals.

Video: Wellington Zoo Keeper Courtney

Remember watching baby Akida learning to walk with the help of Mom Sally at Wellington Zoo? Now he’s on to the next milestone: climbing! Doting parents, Lex and Sally, stuck close by and gave Akida all the encouragement he needed. If this doesn’t make your heart melt, we’re not sure what will!

🎥 Keeper Danni

Previously on ZooBorns:

https://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2022/07/meet-akida.html

Akida, Wellington Zoo’s baby chimpanzee, turned 8 months old in time for World Chimpanzee Day on July 13th, and his confidence has been growing each day (his ears have been growing too). Last week he took his first solo steps, although mama Sally didn't let him stray too far.

This little baby was born in early June at Wellington Zoo in New Zealand, and is particularly special because he is part of a set of very rare Pygmy Marmoset triplets. The last set of Pygmy triplets who survived in Australasia was way back in 1991 in Perth.

ZooBorns doesn't often post baby spiders, but when we do, the response is... well... polarized! For those of you new to the ZooBorns family, welcome! We may seem like fuzzy and sweet rules the roost here, but, in fact, we have a special place in our hearts for the, well, more... creepy crawly babies! (N.B. They are sometimes fuzzy!) We know there are arachnophobes in the group so this is fair warning: if you can't stand spiders, please avoid this video and what lies beneath the fold, you're not gonna like it. Alas, here come  @WellingtonZooTrust 's Bird Eating Tarantula Babies!

The Wellington Zoo welcomed an extra large litter of  Capybara pups on October 25. First-time mother Iapa delivered seven pups - the normal litter size is three to four pups, but the litter size can range from one to eight.  

The care team is keeping a watchful eye on mom and pups to ensure that each is nursing and developing properly.  Keepers noted that Iapa is a bit exhausted but she’s doing well. For now, the new family is living in a private den where Iapa can bond with her babies. 

Capybaras are the world’s largest Rodent species and are native to South America. They inhabit a variety of habitats including forests and grasslands and usually live near water. 

Though not listed as being under threat, Capybaras are hunted extensively for their meat.  They live groups of 10-20 individuals.  

See more photos of the babies below.

A Nyala calf was born at Wellington Zoo, in New Zealand, at the end of October. The lovely newcomer joins older brother, Basie, who was born earlier in the year on Valentine’s Day.

Photo Credits: Wellington Zoo

Keepers are giving the calf and mother time to bond, so it will be a few weeks before the sex of the newborn is known.

The Nyala (Tragelaphus angasii), also known as Inyala, is a spiral horned, mid-sized antelope native to southern Africa.

Adult males stand at 43 inches (110 cm) and females at 3 ft. (90 cm). Males can weigh up to 276 lbs. (125 kg) and females up to 150 lbs. (68 kg).

Their coat is a rusty brown color in females and juveniles, but adult males develop a darker brown or slate grey coloring. Females and young males have ten or more white vertical stripes on their sides.

Only the males have horns, and the horns typically grown to 33 inches (83 cm) in length. There are only one or two twists in the horns. They Nyala have hairy glands on their feet, which leave a scent wherever they walk.

The Nyala breed throughout the year, with mating peaks in spring and autumn. Gestation lasts about seven months, and typically, a single calf is born. Newborns weigh about 11 lbs. (5 kg). Mothers will hide their calves for the first several weeks and nurse regularly.  The calf will remain with the mother until the birth of the next offspring.

The Nyala is currently classified as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List, but major threats to the population are hunting, habitat loss, agriculture and cattle grazing. Today, over 80% of the total population is protected in national parks and sanctuaries, mostly in South Africa.

There are currently eight Nyala in residence at Wellington Zoo, and they are part of a regional breeding programme, in New Zealand, for the beautiful animals.

A rescued Owl is ready to be returned to the wild after receiving expert care at New Zealand’s Wellington Zoo.

Photo Credit:  Wellington Zoo

The young Morepork Owl was brought to the zoo in early December and cared for in the zoo’s unique Nest Te Kōhanga, a veterinary hospital dedicated to caring for New Zealand’s native fauna.  The little Owl now has his adult feathers and is ready to be released into the big wide world.  For the first two weeks of his release, he’ll live in an outdoor aviary run by a local sanctuary.  A lamp hanging outside the aviary will attract moths, allowing the Owl to practice his hunting skills.  After two weeks, the door will be opened and the Owl can choose to fly away or return for food if needed.

Morepork Owls are New Zealand’s only surviving native Owls, and live only in New Zealand and Tasmania.  They are also known by their Maōri name (Ruru) and Australian name (Boobook), both of which reflect the Owls' two-part calls.  These small owls live in forests and frequent urban parks.  They feed on large invertebrates such as caterpillars, beetles, and moths.  

Last week, Wellington Zoo welcomed two tiny Agouti pups. Agoutis are rodents, similar to Guinea Pigs, only with longer legs. One of the twins has white markings on its feet, distinguishing it clearly from its sibling. Adept swimmers, Agoutis have five front toes and only three hind toes. By adulthood, the pups may reach up to 24 inches in length.

New Zealand's Wellington Zoo welcomed a pair of Meerkat pups in January. The couplet is vivacious and healthy according to zoo officials. The birth of new Meerkats is a great opportunity for zoo visitors to observe how each Meerkat has special duties that benefit the group. The babysitters stay close to the burrow with youngsters under their care. The sentries will scan the horizon and sky for predators and the hunters will dig for food, some of which will be given to the young. The young will accompany the group on foraging trips from about 2 months.

Photo credits: Wellington Zoo