Black-crested Mangabey Born At Brookfield Zoo

BROOKFIELD, IL — A black-crested mangabey was born at Brookfield Zoo on July 4, and three squirrel monkeys were born on July 9, 20 and 26, with another due in a week. According to a release from the zoo, the black-crested mangabey birth is a first at Brookfield Zoo, where the species has been exhibited since 2015.

The male monkey, named Zingo, was born to 7–year-old mom Kiwi and 15-year-old dad Videll. At birth, a mangabey’s facial skin as well as the pigment on the hands and feet is very light in color, according to the release. These areas will darken to black over time and the tiny crest of hair on the head will develop. A young mangabey will cling to its mom’s abdomen as she moves around.

According the release, as the baby mangabey gets older, she will allow her offspring to explore under her supervision. Male offspring typically leave their natal group when they are 5 years old. Currently, the mangabeys have access to the habitat in Tropic World: Africa on a rotation basis with the colobus, another primate species, until the new family gets acclimated and the two groups can be introduced to each other. However, when they are visible, guests should be able to spot the newborn from across the exhibit due to the stark contrast of his lightly pigmented areas against his mom, who is all black.

Photos provided by Chicago Zoological Society.