Marmosets let loose for the first time at Telford's Exotic Zoo
You're out in the sun for the first time in your life and someone sticks a camera in your face – there's only one thing for a cheeky monkey to do.
This marmoset is just one of a family of the little animals enjoying a new outdoor enclosure at Telford's Exotic Zoo, in Priorslee, which is set to open to the public this summer.
After being rescued by the zoo last year, this is the first time the little animals have ever been allowed outdoors, and they're loving it.
Scott Adams, from the Exotic Zoo, said: "They were rescued when their old owner died and they've been in our old indoor education centre ever since.
"Today we got to see them out in the sunshine for the first time. You could tell they were captivated. They had real trees and they could feel the wind – they could act like real monkeys."
Jason Garton, who runs the Exotic Animal photography experiences, snapped the photo as the marmosets were let loose for the first time.
"They're absolutely thriving since being released," he said. "They're going to be a really big hit with the public when we open later this year.
"They've got really big personalities. It's the characteristics of the face. They look very inquisitive and they move very quickly. They're very cute as well."
Work is still ongoing on the Exotic Zoo, which opened for a sneak peak over the Easter holidays.
They hope to re-open to the public by the beginning of the summer holidays, and are currently aiming for the last week of July.
Members of staff from Trench Co-op were invited out to see the marmosets released after they raised funds to build the enclosure.
Service users from Combat Stress, based in Newport, were also at the release. Users from the charity, which cares for veterans with PTSD, depression and anxiety, have been helping with the preparation of the new zoo.
