Rescued Monkeys
Posted at 10:35 am May 16, 2006 by Nerissa Foland
If you haven’t heard the exciting news, we have four new monkey residents in Ituri Forest! Under the support of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Zoological Society of San Diego, along with five other zoos, combined efforts and resources to rescue 33 monkeys, representing five different species, which had been destined for the hobbyist trade in South Africa. (Read more about the rescue here.)
Our four new inhabitants are young Allen’s swamp monkeys, native to the swampy forests of Zaire. Swamp monkeys love to swim and have partial webbing between their fingers and toes to assist them in the water. In the wild, they eat fruit, leaves, and insects. In Ituri Forest at the San Diego Zoo, they are given a diet of specially formulated biscuits, fruit, vegetables, greens, and insects. Keepers are introducing them to all of the enrichment toys and foods our other monkeys enjoy as well, such as peanut butter, jello, and cereal! We often use these “snacks” to scatter or hide in toys hung from tree branches, giving the animals some activities to keep busy throughout the day.
Since they are just becoming familiar with their new home, keepers are giving them limited access outside every other day. So far, they seem to really enjoy exploring their new exhibit. With the weather warming up, and their natural inclination to explore and swim, you do not want to miss a chance to catch them taking their first dip in their new home!
Nerissa Foland is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
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May 16th, 2006 at 10:48 am
I feel tremendous relief for the monkeys that were rescued and tremendous sadness for the ones that aren’t. Do the ones at SDZ have names yet?
May 16th, 2006 at 11:51 am
Thank you and all involved for helping and rescuing these beautiful animals. Am looking forward to future updates on these lucky little ones!
May 16th, 2006 at 6:59 pm
They currently do not have “house names,” although every animal in the collection has an identification number. I’m sure that after more of their personalities show, names will quickly ensue.
May 16th, 2006 at 9:15 pm
Many thanks for rescuing the 33 monkeys! So heart warming to know that the 4 young ones are enjoying their new home.
May 17th, 2006 at 5:23 am
I thought there were originally five at the SDZ. Did something happen to one of them, or did it get relocated?
May 17th, 2006 at 8:34 am
There is currently a young De Brazza’s monkey also at the SDZ. He was introduced to an adult De Brazza’s monkey female off-exhibit, and they are doing quite well together. It has not yet been decided where they will be relocated within the Zoo, but if it is in Ituri Forest- I’ll be sure to write another blog!
May 18th, 2006 at 7:04 am
Well done! Let’s hear the names they get!
May 18th, 2006 at 11:39 pm
A new species of capuchin Monkey was found in NE Brazil: Cebus queirozi. They found about 30 of them living in an area of what used to be the Atlantic Forest and they will be EXTINCT if we don’t act!!
I’m not a scientist or anything, but I do know what needs to be done. Get two couples and re-create their environment (maybe San Diego Wild Animal Park or Zoo?) and try to breed them.
I know it costs money: vets, licenses, building the environment, etc. However, if we (San Diegans) managed to have the Pandas, we can manage that. It’s petty cash compared to all the money that’s spent on so many other causes.
Regards, Brisa
May 21st, 2006 at 9:35 am
i feel glad that some of the monkeys were saved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 22nd, 2006 at 1:50 pm
I saw these delightful Monkeys on saturday while I was there after my sunrise stroll. I must say they are a delight to watch. Thank you for rescuing them and bringing them here to San Diego. They seem to be doing well in their enclosure and the Otters were very curious and they were playing with each other some. I have some great pictures of them….
Again, thanks for these wonderful monkeys…..
June 10th, 2006 at 3:35 pm
it’s awsome to know that people still care about the environment. maybe a group of people that care can help the world from falling apart which is what it is coming to. hopefully this is just the start, YAY and i wanna hear the names too!
June 17th, 2006 at 6:52 pm
I love Monkeys. I have stuffed animals of Monkeys! Thank You!