TWO zoo keepers have become foster parents to a rare breed of baby monkey after she was rejected by her mother.

Sophia, a White Crowned Mangabey, was born at Flamingo Land Zoo, near Malton, North Yorkshire, 11 days ago.

The Mangabey is one of the most endangered primates in the world and there are believed to be only 60 left in the wild. There are 52 in captivity, and only three in the UK, all of which are at Flamingo Land.

Sophia, who weighs slightly less than 1lb, was rejected by her 13-year-old mother Calpurnia, and is being cared for by a team of experts.

Deputy headkeeper, Dean Cross and primate keeper, Aaron Porter, are taking her home on a night to the home they share in Malton.

They are taking it in turns to feed her throughout the night. At the moment she is feeding every four hours and is taking human baby formula milk from a bottle.

White Crowned Mangabeys originate from the Ivory Coast. Last year, eight babies were bred but only one survived. Mothers normally miscarry or give birth to stillborns.

Mr Porter said: "We have bred them before, but the young have never survived.

"There hasn't been very much breeding success with them in Europe as far as I am aware.

"The goal is to have her back in with the other two. It will take some time and it might not happen, but that is the ultimate intention.

"At the moment it is still touch and go with Sophia. As far as research goes, their mortality rate is after 30 days when we say they are going to live. She is looking really strong at the moment though."