Two baby Geoffrey's marmosets have made their debut at Knoxville Zoo. The twins were born to parents Willow and Newton on February 6. Visitors can look closely and see the two tiny monkeys being carried by one of their parents, who will share the responsibility of raising them.

Geoffrey's marmosets are found in the rainforests of southeastern Brazil, and live in family groups. For the first few weeks, the offspring will rely heavily on their mother and will be carried by her most of the time, although their father may carry one or both of the babies when they are not nursing.

Geoffrey's marmosets are threatened with extinction in the wild. Knoxville Zoo participates in the Species Survival Plan (SSP) for Geoffrey's marmosets, which manages the population of threatened and endangered animals in zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to maintain a healthy genetic population. Geoffrey's marmosets are exhibited at only 28 zoos in the U.S. and there are just over 100 marmosets in the captive population. Knoxville Zoo is home to one of only 16 breeding pairs.

"We're very excited about the two newest additions to the marmoset family," says Cathleen Wise, marmoset keeper. "It's always a great experience to watch the entire family help raise the young ones and to see the social dynamics within the family unit. We're also happy because the birth of such endangered animals helps expand the number of individuals within the Geoffrey's marmoset Species Survival Plan."

Knoxville Zoo is Knoxville's largest year-round attraction. Located off exit 392A from Interstate 40, the zoo is open every day except Christmas Day. Knoxville Zoo is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is committed to the highest standards in animal care and well-being, ethics, conservation, and education. Currently, the zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Admission and ticket sales stop one-hour before the zoo closes. Next-day admission is free after 3 p.m. For more information, please call 865.637.5331 ext. 300 or visit www.knoxville-zoo.org.