The Stone Zoo family has become a little bit bigger thanks to the arrival of an eastern black-and-white colobus monkey. The baby was born at Stone Zoo overnight on July 21, to 17-year-old Teka (mother) and 19-year-old Isoke (father). The infant joins a tight-knit family group that also includes older sisters Kenya (age 10) and Fuhara (age 9), and older brother George (age 1). Both mom and baby are doing well.

“The animal care team has kept a close eye on the baby and are seeing all good signs of its healthy development as it bonds with mom and begins to nurse,” said William Robles, Curator at Stone Zoo.

In its first few days, the baby already appears bright, healthy and aware of its surroundings, holding tight to mom and vocalizing loudly when it needs something. The rest of the troop has taken an active role in supporting Teka. The older sisters have taken turns holding and grooming the baby while Isoke keeps a watchful eye on the troop. Youngest sibling George is still getting used to his new title of older brother, and is curious about the new arrival.

“The baby’s siblings have been curious about the new arrival, watching Teka as she keeps the baby close and holding the baby so mom can eat,” noted Robles. “We are excited to watch the siblings continue to develop strong bonds and play together as the baby grows.” 
 
Baby colobus monkeys stay close to their mothers for the first year, nursing and hanging tight while its mother climbs throughout the trees. This species operates in family groups, in which mothers, fathers and siblings share parenting responsibilities. 

Newborn colobus are nearly completely white, eventually developing 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. The Zoo’s Animal Care Team will conduct visual health exams until the baby is nearly a year old, where it will be ready for a routine physical.

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). The SSP strives to maintain genetically healthy populations of colobus monkeys, which face threats in the wild including habitat loss and hunting.