Mum’s the word as a baby boom brings plenty to enjoy in springtime

Black headed spider monkey enjoying a cuddle with mum, Mandy Picture submitted (Image: Archant)

Holding tightly on to mum and snuggling deep into her fur, this super gorgeous baby monkey peeks at the world.

It's one of the new arrivals at Banham Zoo where spring is very much in the air. Keepers have been happily welcoming an abundance of adorable baby animals born at the zoo in recent weeks.

They include the hatching of a Rüppell's griffon vulture chick, a species which is critically endangered in the wild.

It's a busy time for births at the zoo with an armful of cuteness awaiting visitors this Bank Holiday weekend in 'La Hacienda' Farm Barn with five beautiful baby goats and an adorable Mongolian lamb, born on Easter Sunday.

Red-bellied lemur baby with mum, Maggie Picture submitted (Image: Archant)

There are more little ones adding to the spring count of new arrivals too.

'Our spoonbills have had a chick, and already visitors can see that famous spoon-shaped beak developing, and it won't be long before the chick looks just like its parents,' says a zoo spokesperson, adding that the spoonbills can be seen in Penguin Cove where they live alongside the African penguins and little egrets.

There is more wonderful news in the primate section where keepers were delighted with not only the safe arrival of the baby pygmy marmoset, but a baby red-bellied lemur too.

As well as all the adorable babies, Banham Zoo's newest arrivals, Cuvier's dwarf caiman, are settling into 'Eureka!', the South American themed tropical house. The two males came from 'Crocodiles of the World', a zoo in Oxfordshire, who took them in after they were rescued from the pet trade.

The spoonbills and their new chick live in Penguin Cove alongside the African penguins and little egrets Picture submitted (Image: Archant)

There's plenty more happening at the south Norfolk wildlife park too, where the howler monkeys are very vocal about their enjoyment of their new outside surroundings 'Casa Do Howler'.

'They have three large trees adjacent to their enclosure and can be seen climbing high above enjoying their new environment whilst visitors below watch in amazement,' says the spokesperson.

'Banham Zoo is a great place to visit – especially at springtime!' they add.

The Cuviers dwarf caiman at Banham Zoo are surprising visitors in Eureka!, the South American themed tropical house. Picture submitted (Image: Archant)

White-bellied pygmy marmoset Picture Banham Zoo (Image: Archant)

A rope ladder bridge holds no problems for the agile Howler Monkeys at Banham Zoo Picture submitted (Image: Archant)

Surveying the scene, the howler monkeys love their new outdoor environment Picture submitted (Image: Archant)

The Banham Zoo howler monkeys are having a great time exploring their new outside surroundings Casa Do Howler. Picture submitted (Image: Archant)