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Wiltshire in pictures: Exotic animals and Stonehenge

PA A tiger cub playfully jumps on top of its mother, who is lying down in a parkPA

Exotic animals, ghost towns and Stonehenge feature in our weekly picture round-up of Wiltshire.

A critically-endangered monkey was born at Longleat Safari Park, while four rare tiger cubs were introduced to the outside world for the first time.

On Saturday, buses took people to visit an abandoned village in Wiltshire for one day only.

PA A picture of a tamarin monkey sitting on a tree branch with a small brown leaf in its mouthPA

Monkey business: Maxi the cotton top tamarin monkey gave birth at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire on Thursday.

The baby weighed around 40g (1.4oz), the same as an average chicken egg.

Tamarins are small primates native to Central and South America, often characterized by their vibrant fur and distinctive facial hair.

There are thought to be about 6,000 of these monkeys in the wild.

PA A baby tamarin monkey rests on its mother's backPA
Maxi the cotton top tamarin monkey baby gave birth at Longleat in Wiltshire

Easy tiger: The spotlight has also shone on four rare Amur tiger cubs at Longleat.

The cubs, which were born in May, were allowed outside for the first time.

Amur tigers, also known as Siberian tigers, are among the most endangered big cats in the world

Reuters Two big stones which are part of the Stonehenge monument lie flat on the groundReuters

New discovery: A new analysis has found the central Altar Stone at Stonehenge probably came from northern Scotland, rather than Wales.

The discovery shows the construction of Stonehenge was a far greater collaborative effort than scientists realised.

Imberbus A line of about 17 red double-decker Routemaster buses moving along a small tarmacced road with open fields and cattle on either sideImberbus

Ghost town: For one day only, village Routemaster buses took passengers to a a Salisbury Plain village abandoned during the Second World War.

In 1943, the 150 people living in Imber were asked to move out so the village could be turned into a military defence area.

Public access to Imber is only granted on up to 50 days each year.

Historic Environment Consultancy A painting on a wall shows a monkey hanging on a tree with some birds flying nearby. The painting has been water damaged and is disfigured by mould.Historic Environment Consultancy

Mouldy mural: Pictures taken inside the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon show the state of the neglected building.

The building has been closed for the past four years. The murals are said to have been painted in 1976, but have been affected by water damage.

Historic Environment Consultancy A painting of three parrots flying on a wall disfugred by mouldHistoric Environment Consultancy
A woman wearing a stripy black and white top, yellow trousers and black sandals rests her hand above a water feature in a splash park

Splish splash: Swindon's new £475,000 splash park opened on Wednesday.

Located at Swindon's Coate Water Country Park, the fully accessible water play area includes a paddling pool and various features and games.

Parents and children welcomed the opening, and about 30 children played in the park within an hour of its opening.

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