The staff at Stone Zoo is pleased to announce the birth of an Eastern black-and-white colobus monkey. The baby, born on September 10 to Mahale (mother), age 13, and Isoke (father), age 8, made its exhibit debut this past weekend. The sex of the baby is not yet known.

Celebrate the recent birth of Stone Zoo's colobus monkeys with this commemorative "mother and baby" plush pair. Hurry, supplies are limited! MORE

“We are thrilled to share the news of this exciting birth. As with any birth, we are closely monitoring the mother and baby. The baby has been observed nursing and is holding on tightly to its mother, which are both positive signs,” said John Linehan, Zoo New England President and CEO. “Colobus monkeys are not only beautiful animals, but they have great cultural and ecological significance in many parts of their range. Visitors are sure to delight in watching this baby grow up and interact with its two siblings born at Stone Zoo last year.”

Zoo New England participates in the Eastern Black-and-White Colobus Species Survival Plan (SSP), which is a cooperative, inter-zoo program coordinated nationally through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). SSPs are designed to maintain genetically diverse and demographically stable captive populations of species. This birth is the result of a recommended breeding. Eastern black-and-white colobus monkeys are native to the forests of equatorial Africa. Newborn colobus are completely white and develop their distinctive black and white coloration around their first birthday. The u-shaped mantle of long white fur descends from the animal’s shoulders around its back. They are noted for their huge, fluffy white tail that helps them balance and steer as they make long leaps between trees and branches.

These animals live in territorial groups based upon a single male with a number of females and their offspring. Arboreal and diurnal, they spend most of the day foraging and sleeping in trees.

Please note: The colobus monkey can be seen on exhibit as long as the temperature is at least 55 degrees.

Learn more about the colobus monkey in Stone Zoo's Animals section.

Photos courtesy of Dayle Sullivan-Taylor