A new baby patas monkey was born Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo and can be seen on exhibit in the zoo’s Social Animals building.
The new baby is the fifth born to patas parents Becca and MJ, who came to the zoo in 2010 along with two other females, Addie and Sara. Becca & MJ’s new baby is the seventh patas monkey born at the zoo.
Since primates are social animals, Becca remained in the patas monkey exhibit with her extended family before, during and after giving birth. When the baby was born on Saturday, zookeepers roped off the exhibit for a couple of days to observe mother and baby and give them time to bond. The zoo began allowing visitors back in to the exhibit on Tuesday.
Since its birth, the tiny monkey has spent all its time clinging to its mother and nursing. While other monkeys in the group may want to hold the baby, the mom will resist anyone but her touching the newborn for several weeks, said zoo director Ted Fox. This is why it may take a few days to determine the baby’s gender.
“Gradually, the baby will start to take some steps away from the mother in a few weeks,” Fox said. “Like any primate baby, as it grows it will venture further away until it is weaned and independent. Patas monkeys become mature between 3 and 4 years of age.”
Patas monkeys are native to the rainforests of Western Africa through the savannahs of Kenya, where their populations are declining due to poaching and habitat destruction. About 15 zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums participate in a Species Survival Plan to manage this species. The Rosamond Gifford Zoo has sent patas monkeys born here to Zoo Boise in Idaho, Como Zoo in St. Paul, Minn., and the Memphis Zoo to establish colonies there.
Patas monkeys are the world’s fastest primates and can run at speeds of more than 30 miles per hour. They are also known as dancing monkeys because they jump around when excited or at play. They have long, slender bodies and long limbs for speed and climbing. The adults have a black brow ridge and white mustache. Babies are born all black, but their fur will start fading to reddish brown three to six months after birth.
Keepers hope to determine the new zoo baby’s gender in time for a Sept. 30 Party for the Patas Monkeys to celebrate the new arrival.
Come celebrate the new zoo baby at a Patas Party!
Saturday, Sept. 30, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Party for the Patas will include morning and afternoon patas monkey keeper chats, a coloring craft, a raffle for a patas monkey themed gift basket, and a chance to see the new baby on exhibit or – weather permitting – outside in the zoo’s Primate Park.
The event is free to members or with zoo admission.
Schedule:
- 10 a.m. – Free toy monkey to the first 200 children
- 11 a.m. – Patas Monkey Keeper Chat
- 2 p.m. — Patas Monkey Keeper Chat
- All day – Coloring craft, monkey-themed food at Jungle Café, enter to win a monkey themed gift basket raffle; suggest a name for the new patas monkey baby
- Enter to win a baby patas monkey gift basket raffle
- 3 p.m. — Raffle drawing – winner announced
For more information, visit rosamondgiffordzoo.org. Watch a YouTube video of our patas monkeys playing in Primate Park at youtu.be/9UmQBDtpK48.