A new addition to the Houston Zoo is astounding staffers who never thought its parents would mate.

Albert and Amelia, two De Brazza monkeys that came to the Houston Zoo in 2006, are the proud parents of a newborn baby. Zoo employees are still waiting to confirm the sex of the child, born on New Year's Eve.

The baby's blonde shock of hair has proven to be eye-catching.

The couple was a part of a collection of primates that were confiscated in Africa, saved from certain death. De Brazzas are very colorful, smaller monkeys found in the central part of the African continent.

"They were found in an African market, destined for the dinner table, but some local hotel workers worked to save them," said Brian Hill, media coordinator at the Houston Zoo.

Dena Honeycutt, primate supervisor at the zoo, cannot stress enough how important this birth is genetically to the primate population in North America. Simply put, they had no idea if the pair would produce any children.

"When they went off exhibit last summer, they started getting along and breeding behavior increased," said Honeycutt. That's zoo lingo for "they were enjoying each other's company." 

The pair were named Albert and Amelia due to what Honeycutt calls their "regal look." Once the sex of the newborn is known, it will also get a regal name. So far, employees are keeping their distance and letting mother and father tend to their new addition.

"Dad is being very protective and, as first time parents, they are doing an amazing job," said Honeycutt.

For now. the only way that Houstonians will be able to see the trio is through photos taken by the zoo, but Honeycutt said that later this year they could be on exhibit for the city to see. The zoo staff is being very mindful to give the family time alone.

As for that blonde mane, Honeycutt said that eventually the child will sport the same look as its parents and the blonde will fall away.