Lonely Monkey Maarten Finds Love!

Earlier this year Drusillas Park in Alfriston sent out a lonely-hearts advert for their colobus monkey, Maarten. Poor bachelor Maarten struggled with his confidence and couldn’t seem to catch a break. He was rejected by all his ladies and the only animal at the zoo to have never been adopted…

In a happy turn of events Maarten was adopted multiple times after receiving some media attention for his lonely heart. Clearly a little taste of fame was all he needed, and Maarten has become a brand-new man. His confidence has grown, he is finally stepping up to his role as alpha and has even fathered his first child.

Head Keeper, Sophie Leadbitter, said: “Oh our lovely Maarten. He was such a wet blanket when he first arrived bless him. He was too shy to approach the ladies, so they ruled the roost whilst he sat in the corner quietly doing as he was told. He even took his fair share of wallops for trying to join in. He had no adoptions and very little attention. We have always loved Maarten, but he was such a nervous fella that he just got walked all over.”

“How times have changed! Maarten fell in love with female colobus monkey, Daisy. He is absolutely besotted with her. Obviously, he took his fame to heart, had a stern word with himself and decided to step up to the plate to impress her.”

After a little gussy up, Maarten decided to ‘woo’ his woman and started to reign in his harem. His first attempt at alpha really didn’t go very well and he was sent packing back to his corner with a very sore head.

But he wasn’t deterred and tried again…and again…and again… eventually Maarten succeeded and won over both his lady and his group. He has even fathered his first child.

Maarten and Daisy welcomed their new arrival earlier last week and have been keeping the little one closely guarded. Zookeepers have been unable to sex the baby yet but are very happy with how well the new parents are performing.

This birth is particularly exciting because Drusillas hasn’t had a baby colobus monkey for nearly 8 years. The last colobus baby was born in 2012 so this birth is really quite special.  

Head Keeper, Sophie Leadbitter, said: “It is really wonderful to have a baby colobus again! Unlike their parents, babies are totally white from head to toe. We’re hoping to be able to tell the gender soon so we can give the little one a name.”

“Maarten is doing really well as a first time Dad and has been mucking in and helping out. It’s really lovely to see how much he has changed and grown – we never thought he would get a lady let alone have a baby! We are all pretty proud of him. Not such a sap anymore! Go Maarten!”