A NEW house for the Island's squirrel monkeys has been officially opened at Curraghs Wildlife Park.

The £12,000 chalet style house provides an enlarged indoor space, 5.2 metres square, which is around six times the size of the old indoor enclosure. It is located in the Flooded Forest area.

Community, Culture and Leisure Minister David Cretney MHK said: "The Wildlife Park has had considerable success with breeding the species since they were introduced to the park in the 1990s.

"Now the park has been recommended by the European Stud Book to breed them up in order that groups of females can be provided to other European collections.

"A new breeding male has been introduced to the collection every few years and it means that the Wildlife Park squirrel monkeys are an underrepresented genetic line within the European population.

"They are very active throughout the day and delight visitors with their antics, both on the island and in their new house.”

The Friends of the Curraghs Wildlife Park contributed 50 percent of the cost of building the new monkey house.

Chairman Roy Howarth said: "The Friends of the Wildlife Park are pleased to have been able to contribute towards the cost of building the enlarged indoor space for the squirrel monkeys.

"Our contributions are both practical, in terms of helping to maintain the grounds, and financial in raising funds to assist with improvements to the enclosures.

"We are currently appealing for more volunteers to join us, and hope the excellence of recent enhancements made in the park will encourage new people to join us."