A rare baby pygmy marmoset that had been stolen from an Australian wildlife park has been found and reunited with its mother.

Three monkeys, the world's smallest, were snatched from their enclosure at the Symbio Wildlife Park in Helensburgh, south of Sydney, on Saturday.

Two of them were found - the four-week baby, who has yet to be named, was recovered in a car, while a 10-month-old female named Sofia was found at another address.

But the third stolen monkey, Sofia's father Gomez, 10, was still missing and police have issued another appealed for further help from the public to recover it.

Two men, aged 23 and 26, have been arrested and pleaded guilty on Monday to charges of dealing with the proceeds of crime.


Image: The pygmy marmoset is native to South America. File pic

Police and zookeepers had launched a desperate bid to locate the infant amid fears it could die if it stayed away from its mother for more than 24 hours.

Keepers also worried its twin would perish because their mother was too stressed to feed.

"Mum cradled the baby straight into her arms and bub immediately began to feed," said the zoo in its Facebook page.

"Early observations this morning are promising, with two bright-eyed twins observed on mums back - so a great result."

Sofia was also reunited with her family. The zoo said she was in "okay condition, hungry and understandably scared".

Marmosets, also known as thumb monkeys, are native to South America.

They are in demand on the black market as pets, commanding prices of up to AU$5,000 (£3,000), according to Sydney's Daily Telegraph.

Australian news reports identified the arrested men as brothers Jackson and Jesse George.

They are not alleged to have been involved in the direct theft, but Jackson George was found in possession of one the monkeys and his brother was driving the car with the stolen monkey inside.