London Zoo's Monkey Is Spitting Image Of British Sitcom Character Albert Steptoe

By Lynsey Ford

London, UK - ZSL London Zoo has got its very own miser just in time for the credit crunch Christmas…a monkey that is the spitting image of Albert Steptoe.

Far from being a dirty old man living in a scrap-yard, this little colobus monkey, already nicknamed Albert, lives in the Zoo’s lush £5.3 million Gorilla Kingdom exhibit.

Soon after the tiny snow white primate was born keepers noticed the striking resemblance to the miserable character played by Wilfred Brambell in the classic 1960s sitcom Steptoe and Son.

Little Albert, who will eventually turn black and white like his parents, has been delighting visitors as he and his mum swing together through the trees.

Zookeeper, Andrea Payne, said: “We couldn’t believe it when one of the keepers saw the resemblance. I’ll be reminded of our little Albert every time Steptoe and Son is on television this Christmas.”

Visitors can come and see the 8in tall monkey and his family celebrating their first Christmas together at ZSL London Zoo.

Notes:

Colobus Monkeys
Colobus monkeys originate from Africa and spend most of their lives in the upper levels of forest canopy. They have a light weight bone structure which makes it easy for them to leap across branches. The name “colobus” means “mutilated one” which referes to the primates missing thumb.

Gorilla Kingdom
Gorilla Kingdom was opened in Easter 2007 and was partly funded with a legacy left to ZSL London Zoo by a long-serving volunteer as well as donations on the gate. Through the development of this exhibit ZSL has pledged to contribute £500,000 to the conservation of gorillas in the wild through our conservation programmes.

ZSL
Founded in 1826, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity: our key role is the conservation of animals and their habitats. The Society runs ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, carries out scientific research in the Institute of Zoology and is actively involved in field conservation in other countries worldwide. For further information please visit www.zsl.org