Sad day as Auckland Zoo euthanises three well-loved primates

Auckland Zoo has had to euthanise three of its cotton-top tamarins due to age-related conditions.

The three primates, all elderly males, had well exceeded their life expectancy and were suffering from kidney failure and spinal degeneration, among other problems.

Cotton-top tamarins became critically endangered in 2008 and are native to the tropical rainforests of Colombia.

It natural habitat has been badly affected by deofrestation, with just five per cent of its previous area remaining.

Their life expectancy in the wild is about 13 years, but they have been noted to live up to 24 years in captivity.