Three pint-sized monkeys living at one of the north-east’s busiest animal rescue centres for years could soon be stars of the small screen after finding a new home.
The marmosets had been living in the New Arc centre, in Auchnagatt, until earlier this week.
One of the South American animals, Jock, had been there for almost four years after being taken in from an owner in Aberdeen who kept him in a cockatiel’s cage.
He was joined by pals Colin and Douglas last year when their owner – though he cared deeply for them – was unable to keep them on any longer.
Since Jock’s arrival, Keith Marley, who owns New Arc with his wife Pauline, has been trying to find a home for him at one of the biggest primate sanctuaries, Dorset’s Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre, famously the setting of Channel Five’s TV show Monkey Life.
And last week the couple were delighted to get a call from its owner and TV star Alison Cronin, confirming space had become available not just for Jock, but Colin and Douglas too.
“When Jock came in he was quite neglected he’d been in a cockateil cage for about a year, he was not in great condition when we got him,” said Mr Marley.
“When I got Jock I made contact with Monkey World because they have a fantastic facility and deal with priority cases from all over the world.”
When Mrs Cronin originally phoned the centre recently saying a place for Jock was finally available, Mr Marley inquired if she could take two friends with him.
Mr Marley then made a huge 700-mile round trip to Blackburn, England, to meet her.
She then took the animals on to her enclosure where the trio will make the most of a huge outdoor facility.
Mr Marley added: “She phoned the other day and said she’d take all three. Jock will feel the sun on his back for the first time and see the sky.
“It is heartbreaking handing them over but at the same time we’re absolutely overjoyed because I know their quality of life is going to be second to none.
“We provide facilities here but it is a pale shadow on the facilities he’ll get there.
“Unfortunately people get these pets and think they are cool. The fact of the matter is a lot of people buy them and end up taking them on and find out they can’t handle them.
“They become very aggressive and they have got a range of emotions.”