NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 29. 2006

Baby Monkey Born at Zoo

A baby de Brazza’s monkey was born at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo on Monday, June 26 and can be seen by zoo visitors for the first time today.

The baby’s proud parents are Panga, age 15, and her mate, Rafiki, age 17. This baby is their seventh. “Panga and Rafiki are experienced parents,” says Animal Curator Mark Weldon. “They’re doing a great job with the baby.”

So far, keepers have been unable to determine the baby’s gender. The infant clings to Panga’s belly as she climbs around the exhibit. The baby nurses on and off throughout the day.

With a white beard and black and chestnut bands on its forehead, the de Brazza’s (pronounced dee BRA zahz) monkey has a distinctive appearance. The baby, however, will not develop the facial coloration until it is several months old.

De Brazza’s monkeys are native to the forests of central and eastern Africa. They travel in small family groups through the treetops, nibbling on fruit, leaves, and berries. At the zoo, Panga, Rafiki, and their new baby reside in the African Village. The pair’s first six babies have all moved to other zoos to start their own families.

In North American zoos, de Brazza’s monkeys are managed to maintain a high level of genetic diversity within the population. This birth was recommended by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums, which oversees the species’ management plan.

The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo is one of northeast Indiana’s major attractions, drawing 500,000 visitors every year. The zoo was named one of the country’s “Ten Best Zoos for Kids” by Child magazine in 2004.

The zoo is open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. until October 15. Admission is $7.50 for adults, $5.00 for children age 2-14 and for seniors over age 60. Babies age 1 and under and Zoo Society Members are admitted free.

# # #