Photos of baby colobus monkey born at Central Park Zoo
Photos of baby colobus monkey born at Central Park Zoo
Pictures in the news
mongabay.com
April 2, 2007
Photo by Julie Larsen Maher of WCS |
A baby colobus monkey born at the Central Park Zoo in New York is doing well according to the Wildlife Conservation Society.
The infant, presently all white in color, will develop its characteristic black and white coat within the next three months.
Colobus monkeys are native to the forests of Central Africa, ranging from Nigeria to Ethiopia and down into Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.
“Colobus monkeys they generally live in territorial groups of 7 to 11 members, including a single male, several females, and their young,” said Alison Reiser of the Bronx Zoo. “While females remain in the group for life, males leave as they near sexual maturity. Other females in the group often help look after the youngsters.”
“Colobus monkeys are highly social and spend lots of time grooming each other while lounging in tree branches, where they primarily eat young, protein-rich leaves,” she added.
Photo by Julie Larsen Maher of WCS |
Like many other primates in Central and East Africa, colobus monkeys are at risk from habitat less (deforestation is accelerating across much of its range) and bushmeat hunting, though they are not currently considered endangered.
Visitors to the Central Park Zoo can now see the baby colobus monkey along with mother (Tana), father (Metalman), and the other colobus monkeys.
Related: Photos of baby langur born at Bronx Zoo.
Mongabay was given express permission to use quotes, information, and photos from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) for this piece.