And then there were five! The Stone Zoo family is a teensy bit bigger thanks to the arrival of an eastern black-and-white colobus monkey. The baby was born in the habitat overnight on June 30, 2024, to 16-year-old Teka (mother) and 18-year-old Isoke (father). The infant joins a tight-knit family group that also includes older sisters Kenya (age 10) and Fuhara (age 9). Both mom and baby are doing well.

“The animal care team has been closely observing the baby and are seeing all good signs of its healthy development, including lots of nursing, curiosity and bonding with mom,” said Dr. Malu Celli, Zoo New England Vice President of Animal Care.

Zoo New England participates in the Eastern Black-and-White Colobus Species Survival Plan (SSP), a cooperative, inter-zoo breeding program managed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for animals in human care. The SSP strives to maintain genetically healthy populations of colobus monkeys, which face threats in the wild including habitat loss and hunting. This birth is the result of a recommended breeding.

Baby colobus stay close to their mothers for the first year, nursing and hanging tight while its mother climbs throughout the trees. Family groups often share parenting responsibilities.

“Big sister Kenya has been showing a lot of interest in the baby, closely observing Teka and the infant and holding it while mom takes a break to eat,” noted Celli. “We’ve even seen her pull the baby toward her own embrace, but mom is gently insistent on keeping the baby close to her.”

It is easy to spot the baby colobus monkey as it clings to its mother. Newborn colobus are nearly completely white. Eastern black-and-white colobus monkeys develop the distinctive black and white coloration around their first birthday. The species, which has great cultural and ecological significance in many parts of their native range of equatorial Africa, is distinguished by its thick, black fur and a flowing, u-shaped mantle of white fur. The long, bushy, white tail nearly equals the length of its body. Along with the mantle, the tail acts as a “parachute” as a monkey leaps from tree to tree. This arboreal species forms highly social troops led by a dominant male with offspring of various ages. Calling to each other, displays and grooming rituals are all ways the troop maintains tight bonds. Females remain in their birth group for life while males leave in early adolescence.

Stone Zoo guests can watch the baby grow and observe the family’s tender interactions during normal visiting hours. Look up for the light-colored face peeking out from Teka’s embrace from a high perch in their indoor Windows to the Wild habitat, or the outdoor habitat.