BATTLE CREEK, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek has increased it’s population by one with the birth of a colobus monkey.
Born Sunday, June 26, the eastern black and white colobus, or Colobus guereza, infant is the third offspring of parents Usi and Nairobi, whose breeding was a recommendation through an Association of Zoos & Aquariums Species Survival Plan.
“Colobus babies are born with their eyes open and a very strong grip, which is crucial to their survival since they are an arboreal primate species, primarily living high up in the trees” said Kelsey Dibble, Collection Supervisor at Binder Park Zoo. “Other than observing and providing basic care, we take a hands-off approach to encourage the troop to bond with and care for the infant just as it would in the wild. So far, the troop is doing exactly that,” Dibble continued.
Colobus monkeys have been at Binder Park Zoo since 1998. Located in Wild Africa, the Monkey Valley exhibit opened in 1999 and remains an engaging “in-the-round” exhibit where two primate species coexist: the black and white colobus and black mangabeys.
Together with the newborn, the current colobus troop totals six individuals: male Usi, his mate Nairobi, their offspring Freddie, a female named Puddin’ and Ua, a new female who transferred here from Audubon Zoo in May.
Colobus guereza, are native to equatorial Africa. The name “colobus” is from the Greek word for “mutilated” because unlike other monkeys, colobus monkeys do not have thumbs. One of two colobus species, black and white colobus have black fur and a white-framed bearded face. Their long mantle hair and tails act like parachutes during long leaps between branches in the tree canopy. Colobus are herbivores, eating the leaves that grow high in the treetops. At the zoo, they eat a diet of leafy greens and vegetables.
Mature colobus monkeys can weigh between 11-30 pounds. Gestation for colobus is approximately six months. Born with a pink face and white fur, they begin to change color at around four weeks of age and acquire the characteristic black and white adult coloration at approximately three months of age.
The colobus monkey is one of 41 important Species Survival Plan Animal programs at the zoo.
For information about visiting Binder Park Zoo, visit www.binderparkzoo.org.
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