Black and White Colobus Monkey Born at Niabi Zoo

Coal Valley, IL - September 10, 2015 - Niabi Zoo has announced the birth of a baby Black and White Colobus monkey. The baby, a female, was born on September 1 to Shirati, a 12 year old female. This is the eighth baby for Shirati. The Colobus monkey troop's adult male, Tuli, is the father. The baby has not been named.

Zookeepers found that the baby had been born upon an early morning check that day. Shirati, who had been known to be pregnant, was cradling the baby in her arms and allowing her to nurse. As time has gone on, some of the other females in the troop have begun to serve as babysitters for Shirati from time to time. The new baby will be on display daily with her mother (weather permitting) at the African Treetops exhibit. Plans for a naming contest will be announced soon.

"We're so thrilled to have yet another healthy and thriving baby Colobus monkey," said Zoo Director Marc Heinzman. "Niabi Zoo is known in the Zoo field for having one of the most successful breeding programs for this species, and this birth is a continuation of that."

Black and White Colobus monkeys (Colobus guereza) are native to the forests of west-central and east Africa. Females give birth after a 6 month pregnancy to babies which are pure white in color with pink faces. At the age of about 1 month, they begin to change to more closely resemble the black and white coats of adults. Colobus monkeys in the wild are threatened by deforestation and the bush meat trade.

With its Fall Hours beginning September 14th, Niabi Zoo will be open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday, and 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Sunday.  Niabi Zoo closes for the year after November 1st
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