Angolan Colobus Monkey Born At Brookfield Zoo

BROOKFIELD, IL — Brookfield Zoo has a new resident. An Angolan colobus monkey who was born at the zoo on March 11 can now be seen by visitors with his mom in the zoo's Tropic World: Africa habitat.

According to the zoo, 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," the zoo said in a news release. "He will reach adult coloration at approximately three months of age."

Also from the zoo:

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.