A baby monkey named Teak is making his public debut at the Saint Louis Zoo. The male black and white colobus monkey, also known as Guereza colobus), was born at the zoo on Feb. 3.
Teak is staying with his mother, 20-year-old Cecelia, at the Primate House for nursing and sleeping. During the day, it’s common for other members of his large family – or troop – to take him while mom eats or interacts with the others. Visitors can catch a glimpse of Teak at the Primate House during regular zoo hours.
“You have a good chance of seeing Teak’s sister Willow, 3, as well as his half-sister, Binti, 6, interacting with and carrying the baby. This is a skill necessary for younger female members of the troop to learn and participate in so that they, too, can become successful mothers in the future,” said zoo Primate Unit keeper Ethan Riepl.
Also in the troop are brothers Hawthorn, Ziggy and Simon, ages 2, 4 and 5. Thirteen-year-old Kima, the father, can be seen watching stoically over his family and interacting with the youngsters.
Teak’s name was chosen by staff in reference to the tropical hardwood tree. Two of Teak’s siblings also have tree-themed names.
Colobus infants are born with all white hair and a pink face. In contrast, adults are primarily black, with white hair encircling their faces and half of their tails. Adults have a distinctive mantle of long white hair extending from their shoulders around the edge of their backs. An infant’s hair coat will change gradually until they reach adult coloration at about 6 months.
Colobus live in multi-female families and take turns caring for newborns. Cecelia is the dominant female and an experienced mother who is taking great care of the newborn, according to zoo officials. Since 2011, the zoo has had nine successful colobus births. Cecelia has raised five of her own offspring, and now her new baby, in addition to helping to raise three other youngsters in the family.
Colobus monkeys are found throughout the forests of east and central Africa. The birth is part of the AZA Colobus Species Survival Plan (SSP), a program to manage a genetically healthy population of black and white colobus monkeys in North American zoos.
For more information about the Saint Louis Zoo’s innovative approaches to animal care and management, and its global efforts in wildlife conservation, research, and education, visit stlzoo.org.
