THIS cute little chap is the latest addition at Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre.

The six-day-old woolly monkey, yet to be named by staff, weighs just 400 grams, less than a small bag of sugar.

He is just the fifth of his species to be born in captivity at the sanctuary, near Wool, which is also home to his half brother Julio.

Unfortunately the baby monkey is unable to suckle from his mother, so centre director Dr Alison Cronin has stepped in as surrogate mum.

Dr Cronin, who is hand-rearing him, said: "This is a great result as it is extremely difficult to breed woolly monkeys in captivity. I am pleased with the progress the new baby is making so far."

The baby, who sleeps on a heat pad wrapped in blankets, needs feeding every two hours.

Staff hope to introduce him back into his group in several months, as in the wild the extended family is vital for woolly monkey survival.

The ape rescue centre is already home to 35-year-old Xuzie, the oldest Woolly Monkey in the world.

Playing mum to the primates is nothing new for Dr Cronin, as she hand-reared Julio for seven months before successfully introducing him back to the other monkeys at the park.

Centre spokesman Lou Matthews said: "Monkey World's success at breeding woolly monkeys can be attributed to their extensive knowledge of the species' special requirements in captivity."

Female woolly monkeys are susceptible to pregnancy-related high blood pressure, just like human mothers.

Ms Matthews said: "This condition can be extremely dangerous to both mother and baby, but both mother and baby are doing well."

The woolly monkeys at the rescue centre are bred as part of the European Endangered Species Programme along with golden-cheeked gibbons and orang-utans.