News Release
 
Contact: Sondra Katzen, Public Relations, 708.688.8351, sondra.katzen@czs.org
 
April 26, 2019
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
Colobus Monkey Born at Brookfield Zoo

Photos:
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       Brookfield, Ill. – An Angolan colobus monkey was born at Brookfield Zoo on March 11. He can be seen with his mom, Tina Turner, in the Tropic World: Africa habitat.

Colobus infants are born completely white, which is great camouflage as they blend in with their mom’s long white hair. At about a month old, the young monkey begins to change color. Zoogoers who swing by Tropic World to see the new addition will notice the monkey’s eyes and arms are changing to black. He will reach adult coloration at approximately three months of age.
Guests may also notice the infant’s mom sharing maternal care with the other females in the group. Angolan colobuses allo-parent, meaning that other members in the group take turns carrying the baby. Mom will retrieve her baby when she wants to hold him or when he needs to nurse.

Angolan colobuses are found in dense rain forests throughout equatorial Africa. These animals are the most arboreal of the African monkeys, spending most of their time in the canopy. The species is threatened in parts of its range due to habitat destruction for timber and for agricultural use. In certain areas, such as the Congo Basin, people hunt them for meat.
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About the Chicago Zoological Society
The mission of the Chicago Zoological Society is to inspire conservation leadership by engaging people and communities with wildlife and nature. The Chicago Zoological Society is a private nonprofit organization that operates Brookfield Zoo on land owned by the Forest Preserves of Cook County. The Society is known throughout the world for its international role in animal population management and wildlife conservation. Its Center for the Science of Animal Care and Welfare is at the forefront of animal care that strives to discover and implement innovative approaches to zoo animal management. Brookfield Zoo is the first zoo in the world to be awarded the Humane Certified™ certification mark for the care and welfare of its animals, meeting American Humane Association’s rigorous certification standards. Open every day of the year, the zoo is located at 8400 31st Street in Brookfield, Illinois, between the Stevenson (I-55) and Eisenhower (I-290) expressways and also is accessible via the Tri-State Tollway (I-294), Metra commuter line, CTA and PACE bus service. For further information, visit CZS.org.