ZOOKEEPERS have shared their joy after welcoming a baby L’hoest monkey.

The new arrival made an appearance at Colchester Zoo in November and since then has been kept close by mum Casey and dad Kane.

L’hoest monkeys are from the tropical forests in the Democratic Republic of Congo, western Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.

Their diet consists of fruits, leaves, shoots, invertebrates, and seeds.

A spokesman for the zoo said: "The youngster is doing extremely well, growing bigger, stronger, and more confident with both parents being very attentive.

"Mum Casey is 12-years-old and was born here at Colchester Zoo, she is an experienced mum having previously welcomed four other offspring.

"Dad Kane is also 12-years-old and arrived from Budapest in July 2018 to join the group, the pair have been together ever since.

Read more: All the adorable baby animals which were born at Colchester Zoo last year

"Casey would have been pregnant for 5 months with each of her offspring and she will nurse this little one for some time."

Baby L’hoest monkeys such as this one are born with orange hair, which darkens when they are around three months old.