A handsome monkey has been entered in a lonely hearts column in a bid to find him a perfect Valentine’s match.
Maarten the colobus monkey is looking for love in the form of an adopter and was entered into the lonely hearts column by his keepers.
The six-year-old primate is a favourite among staff at Drusillas Park in East Sussex, but his adoption plaque remains empty.
The forlorn monkey is one of the only animals at the zoo without an adopter and keepers are keen to find him a match in time for February 14.
Head keeper Sophie Leadbitter said: “Obviously Maarten is loved by his keepers and visitors alike.
“But it’s heartbreaking for us to see his empty adoption plaque outside his enclosure every day.
“He is a gentle monkey who enjoys relaxing in the summer sun or enjoying a snooze on his back after a tasty meal.
“He has beautiful dark eyes and a bushy white tail and is a perfect animal to adopt fora loved one this Valentine’s Day.”
Black and white colubus monkeys are found in forests in central Africa, eat fruit and leaves and can weigh up to 20 kilos (44 pounds).
Their stomach works like that of a cow, using three or four chambers and lots of bacteria to break down the leaves.
A spokesperson for the zoo said: “Digesting often makes them burp but keepers have cleverly left this out of Maarten’s column.
“Maarten is a favourite among the keepers as he is so peaceful and relaxed.
“Honest, bubbly and an all-round nice monkey, Maarten is looking for love in the form of an adoption.”
Three female monkeys share Maarten’s enclosure at the park which is offering almost 15 per cent off all colobus monkey adoptions to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
All animal adopters receive complementary tickets to visit their adopted animal, an adoption certificate and plaque and a picture of the animal species they have adopted.