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A caring zoo closed over the New Year to let a troop of monkeys mourn the death of one of their young.

The lion-tailed macaques, a highly social tree-dwelling species from southern India, need time to adjust, it says.

The zoo added: “As part of their natural grieving they have been guarding and preening this youngster which will help the whole group come to terms with their loss.”

The 11 macaques, four males and seven females, arrived at Camperdown Wildlife Centre, Dundee, in October from Belfast Zoo and were an instant hit.

(Image: cascadenews.co.uk) (Image: Facebook)

Dozens of fans have now posted messages of condolence­ on the zoo’s Facebook page.

The monkey died last Friday and the zoo will reopen on Thursday, after shutting for four working days.

(Image: Google)

Lion-tailed macaques are endangered with fewer than 4,000 thought to be in the wild.

There are 47 isolated sub-populations­, living mainly in the Western Ghats hills in southern India.