Kinah's New Home
Posted at 4:23 pm June 19, 2007 by Kecia Spears
Just a few weeks ago, Kinah made the move from her human caretakers to living with her family of fellow Allen's swamp monkeys. Bunzi is doing great as Kinah's new " mom" and Mr. Toad and Dixie are excellent adult role models for little Kinah.
Two weeks ago found more big changes for Kinah as well as her new family: the entire group was relocated to Ituri Forest, where they can now be viewed by the public. To add an element of interest, this exhibit already had tenants! A family of four spot-necked otters as well as four juvenile Allen's swamp monkey's were currently calling the area home. A safe plan was executed to introduce Kinah and her family to the otters and other swamp monkeys. First, Kinah had a creep put on exhibit as well as in the bedrooms where they sleep at night. Her creep is a small cage that has an opening large enough for only her to fit through. This ensures her a safe place to retreat if needed and gives her access to her own personal diet to ensure she's getting all her nutrients.
To avoid too much commotion, the otters stayed in their bedrooms on the first day of introductions. Keepers crossed their fingers as all eight monkeys were introduced to each other. There was much curiosity by all monkeys, with a lot of investigating and only a couple of small scuffles. Within a few hours, all eight monkeys were enjoying the exhibit together! You can see them yourself in Ituri Forest, just across the street from the red river hogs!
Kecia Spears is a keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
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June 20th, 2007 at 6:16 am
Thanks, Kecia, for the update on Kinah. It is so exciting to hear that Kinah, Bunzi, Mr. Toad and Dixie are getting along so well and that they now have 4 new juvenille members of their " family." Is Bunzi still considered a juvenille, or since she is sexually mature is she classified as a young adult. In any case, the 4 new juvenilles will provide Kinah and Bunzi with new 'playmates.' Kinah looks like she is growing stronger and bigger all the time. Her hairs looks much longer like it has grown back in well.
Has her mother had another baby yet? It will be interesting to see if she is so overattentive to her next baby. Hopefully maturity and experience will help her be calmer and provide adequate mothering without overdoing it like she did for Kinah.
Great job to all, and Best Wishes for a long and happy life for the new Swamp Monkey " family" in Ituri Forest.
June 20th, 2007 at 9:49 am
Kecia, how great it is to see that Kinah has grown so much and filled out. That's what happens when you having such loving care and all the keepers have done an outsatnding job with her. It's great that she has an extended family to playwith and care for her and it seem like all the other monkeys are doing just that. Keep up the great job.