There is a new addition at the Naples Zoo. A baby Colobus monkey was born as a part of a national program that helps protect animals.
Colobus monkeys are native to the rainforests of Africa. But today in Florida one can be seen by guests on the Primate Expedition Cruise at the Naples Zoo. The monkey is part of a national program called the Species Survival Plan, which breeds animals from different zoos to maintain their genetic diversity and increase their chances for survival. Executive Director of the Naples Zoo, David Tetzlaff, explains why Colobus monkeys, in particular, need to be protected.

“Animals like Colobus monkeys are still poached believe it or not. They have these long flowing white capes that are still used in ceremonial headdresses and so forth. Colobus monkeys are also killed for what is called the bush meat trade in Africa, where Native species are killed and their meat is sold in markets. And also Africa’s growing just like every other place in the planet and Colobus monkeys are becoming road kill in a lot of places.”

When he gets older, this new monkey will eventually be relocated to another zoo in Canada. Tetzlaff says through the Species Survival Plan the Naples Zoo helps protect other animals as well, such as the IndoChinese tiger and the African wild dog.

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A Colobus monkey has been born in the Naples Zoo. He is part of a national program called the Species Survival Plan. Executive Director of the Naples Zoo, David Tetzlaff, says the cooperative breeding program works like a computer dating service for animals.

“It matches up animals who, in this case, should be genetically compatible because you need that genetic diversity for the future species obviously in the wild but also outside the wild. Zoos kind of act like Arcs or storehouses of living genetic material outside the wild that guarantee the species will survive.”

Tetzlaff says the Colobus monkeys, native to Central Africa, are still poached there because of their fur and meat. The Naples Zoo is also helping other animals through the Species Survival Plan, such as the IndoChinese tiger and the African wild dog. When he gets older, the baby monkey will be relocated to another zoo in Canada.