Kinah's Hot Summer Days
Posted at 9:34 am August 13, 2007 by Kecia Spears
It's summertime and things are warming up in Ituri Forest at the San Diego Zoo! With the heat index rising, keepers are challenged to find ways to keep the animals cool and comfortable. Often times, things that we enjoy doing to cool off are also enjoyed by our animals!
Nothing beats a swim for cooling off on a hot day. As mentioned in the earlier posted blog, Kinah Learns To Swim, Ituiri Forest's local celebrity swamp monkey enjoys taking a dip as well! She has become quite the efficient swimmer. You can find her leaping in the water with gusto (cannonball!), leisurely paddling around, or holding her breath for submerged dives. She is often accompanied by her buddy, Jaribu, a quite attentive juvenile male. They actively wrestle, frolic, and dunk each other in the water. Then, just as quickly as they jump into the water, they're out in a flash to sun themselves and dry off.
Another summertime favorite of both ours and the Allen's swamp monkeys are popsicles! Popsicles are made for animals all over the Zoo. Keepers use pieces of fruit and/or vegetables. They are placed into containers with water for freezing. Ice trays work perfectly and pop out the most perfect monkey-sized popsicles! (For larger animals in the Zoo, you may see a popsicle that was made using a large bucket or even a trash can!) Kinah loves the ice cube-sized popsicles as they are a large treat for such a little girl, yet still small enough for her to grip. Her most recent popsicle was one containing a grape. She held the ice cube and worked at it until it melted and she was able to get out the tasty treat. It soon became obvious that, in the time for the ice to melt, Kinah's hands were numb from the cold! She began clapping them together and rubbing them together much like we do in an attempt to warm our own hands. This apparently didn't warrant the results she wanted as she then began to rub them on the log she was perched on. She even attempted to knock the feeling back into them by kicking them with her own hind feet! She was quite a comical spectacle, sending the crowd of guests (and her keepers!) into fits of laughter with her actions. Rest assured that, even though her hands were cold, she didn't let that deter her from eating that cool grape!
Come cool off in Ituiri Forest with Kinah and her friends!
Kecia Spears is a keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Scroll to the end to leave a comment. Pinging is not allowed.
August 13th, 2007 at 9:45 am
What a cute story - and so well told that I could picture it in my mind. Way to go Kinah and staff - you have quite a great little personality and it seems a happy and thriving little monkey. Thank you for the update - it really made my morning! Popsicles for everyone!
August 13th, 2007 at 11:03 am
It's been a pretty crazy day here at work - so your blog and picturing Kinah trying to warm her hands brought a very welcome, hearty laugh - thanks!!! I wish I could see Kinah in person and watch her antics, but your blogs are the next best thing! Thanks and keep up the great work Kecia.
August 13th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
Awww, thanks for the story! Kinah is such a li'l cutie. So glad to see her grow and thrive!
August 14th, 2007 at 6:33 am
Thanks, Kecia, for the updates on Kinah. She is such as special girl. Will her friendship with Jaribu continue into adulthood? Or as she sexually matures will Toad be likely to keep Jaribu away from her?
How old is Kinah now?
August 14th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
Reading this again - this time with the picture attached - reminds me of the time I gave my dog a Frosty Paws frozen treat for the first time. Poor thing didn't really understand the concept - took a big bite of it - and gave himself " brain freeze" - and there was nothing I could do about it until it wore off. Kinah's little face looks a bit like that too - and made me laugh remembering out little dogs first frozen treat. Thanks again for the update!
August 15th, 2007 at 10:29 pm
Thank you Kecia for your updates on Kinah. What a heart warming story! It gives new meaning to " Cold hands - warm heart." I agree with Cheryl; you told the story so well that I'm looking forward to reading it to my grandchildren.
August 19th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
I've just returned from a visit to SDZ and saw the swamp monkeys for the first time. It was so fun to see Kinah and gang in person. Thank you for the fabulous updates and for sharing Kinah's story.
August 28th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
Kecia, have Kinah's " hands" and " fingers" thawed out in the heat? I read that it has cooled off some in SD. Does the pressure in the air from passing remnants of hurricanes seem to affect any of the animals like it does humans?
October 9th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Kecia - how are Kinah and her " group" ? Has Bunzi had any babies yet? I can't wait to hear how Kinah reacts to having more small monkeys to play with.