A MADAGASCAN aye-aye is the latest addition to West Midlands Safari Park.

Named Misoatra, which is Malagasy for 'thank you', the five-year-old male weighs around 8lbs and lives in a specially designed exhibit within the Twilight Cave.

The primate is extremely rare - there are only 43 in captivity worldwide. Only 1,000 are thought to be left in the wild. West Midlands Safari Park is one of just 10 collectors in the world with this unusual species.

Misoatra the aye-aye was born in Jersey Zoo, and brought over to the park in February this year.

The park is open seven days a week from 10am until November 4, and costs £7.99 admission.

An aye-aye's favourite food is fruit, but they also feed on nectar, seeds and fungi.

Aye-ayes are natives of Madagascar and can live up to 23 years.

They are nocturnal animals that live in trees.

The aye-aye has a coarse black to brown coat of fur which is tipped with white, large eyes, surrounded by black rings and large ears.

It is classified as a primate and its closest relative is the lemur.

Aye-ayes are classified as endangered. Madagascans believe them to be a bad omen, and many have been killed.

Food is hidden in tree bark for Misoatra so he can use his specially adapted, clawed middle finger to dig out food, as he would in the wild.