Mo Moment

KIWIS might be heading across the ditch in droves, but these monkeys think the grass — or at least the trees — is greener on this side of the Tasman.

These two emperor tamarins will call Wellington Zoo home when released from quarantine today.

It is hoped the moustachioed monkeys, which came to Wellington from Melbourne Zoo, will form a breeding pair. They are both almost four years old and are tiny — the female weighs about 400 grams, the male about 600 grams.

They are the only emperor tamarins in New Zealand.

Native to tropical rainforests in parts of Peru, Brazil and Bolivia, they are not under threat of extinction but their habitat is threatened by deforestation.

They got their name because of their moustaches, which were thought to look like that of German Emperor Wilhelm II, right, the World War I leader known as Kaiser Bill.

“At first the name was a joke, but now it is the common name for these monkeys,” said Wellington Zoo husbandry manager Suzette Nicholson.

Known for their quirky personalities and flamboyant facial hair, these two spent 30 days in quarantine in New Zealand before their release.

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