Posted: 2 Jan 2026

We are delighted to announce the return of Goeldi’s Monkeys to The Living Rainforest this January.

We have a long and proud history with this remarkable species, dating back to 1997. At that time, we cared for a pair named Sooty and Meeko, who went on to have nine sons, five of which started new family groups at other UK zoos. Sooty lived at The Living Rainforest until she was 28½ years old and was the UK’s oldest Goeldi’s monkey and the second oldest in captivity worldwide.

Our new arrivals are Penelope (age 4) and Isabella (age 5).  Penelope is the great granddaughter of Sooty and Meeko. The new monkeys are expected to be introduced into our rainforest glasshouses at the end of January. Make sure you check back soon to see the date of their move.

The return of the Goeldi’s monkeys will give a boost to the battle to save this threatened species. Goeldi’s monkeys are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with habitat loss posing the greatest threat to their survival. Our work with this species has always been an important part of supporting their future.

The Living Rainforest is ramping up conservation efforts, including a new partnership with the University of Reading’s School of Biological Sciences. Modern zoos act as a vital lifeline for the countless species whose natural habitats are disappearing. Zoos provide a biological “safety net” for species under threat, by managing captive-bred populations to ensure their continued survival, while simultaneously advocating for the importance of habitat conservation and sustainable land use practices.

Sooty and Meeko produced 9 sons at The Living Rainforest. This January, their great granddaughter Penelope is returning as part of a whole new generation of Goeldi’s monkeys at TLR

FURTHER BACKGROUND INFORMATION

• Goeldi’s monkeys (Callimico goeldii) are indigenous to the upper Amazon Basin in South America. They thrive in the dense, bamboo-rich understorey rainforest, foraging for fruit, insects and fungi. The species is at risk of extinction in the wild due to habitat loss from activities including unsustainable agriculture and logging. Goeldi’s monkeys are also threatened by hunting and trapping for the illegal pet trade.
• Sooty was born at Shaldon Wildlife Trust in 1993 and moved to The Living Rainforest in 1997. Meeko was born in 1995 at ZSL London and came to us in 1997.
• Great granddaughter Penelope came from Drusillas Zoo, while our other new arrival, Isabella, came from Marwell Zoo.
• For updates on when the new monkeys will be introduced into The Living Rainforest glasshouses, keep an eye on our website and social media channels.
• Our hope is to collaborate further with the international studbook keeper to further develop and expand our new troop of Goeldi’s monkeys.
• The Living Rainforest and other zoos act as conservation hubs, helping to safeguard Goeldi’s monkeys outside their natural habitat. The breeding programme maintains a healthy population in captivity for potential reintroduction back into the wild.
• Working in collaboration with the international breeding programme, The Living Rainforest plays an important role in the overall conservation strategy for Goeldi’s monkeys through (1) domestic and international education of students and the general public, (2) conservation research, and (3) encouraging vital protection of natural habitats.
• The Living Rainforest holds a range of species classified as Vulnerable or Critically Endangered by the IUCN. In addition to Goeldi’s Monkeys, these include Pygmy Marmosets (Cebuella pygmaea), Home’s Hingeback Tortoises (Kinixys homeana), and Sentani Rainbowfish (Chilatherina sentaniensis).
• The Living Rainforest is owned and operated by the Trust for Sustainable Living, a global sustainability education charity working with students and teachers in over 120 countries.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES & FURTHER INFORMATION

The Living Rainforest, Hampstead Norreys, Berkshire RG18 0TN

press@trustforsustainableliving.org

For more information on TSL & The Living Rainforest, see www.trustforsustainableliving.org and www.livingrainforest.org