A NEW family of Guinea baboons has arrived at an animal park in Kent.

The six males and 11 females are the only Guinea baboons in the UK and are a new species for primate keepers at Port Lympne Wild Animal Park near Hythe.

The creatures arrived from Paris Zoo. The Guinea baboon is one of four savannah species and is the smallest of all baboon species.

They inhabit savannah, dense forest fringes and coastal areas of Sengal, Guinea and South West Mali. They are very vocal animals and in the wild survive on eating plants, birds and small animals including young antelope.

Guinea baboons are a threatened species because their habitat is being destroyed. It is hoped the group at Port Lympne will breed successfully in their new home and a baby is due in February.