SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) — The Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum of Natural History team announces a new addition to their squirrel monkey family.
The baby was born in the overnight hours of Jan. 31-Feb. 1.
This tiny bundle of primate joy is the eighth baby born at GPZ to 17-year-old Daphne – and her sixth with current partner Ned. At this time, we do not know the sex of the baby.
Daphne is a terrific mom and has taken excellent care of her babies. Her older offspring have all moved on to other AZA-accredited facilities. Some have had babies of their own.
Because Daphne is such a great mom, the GPZ veterinary team will wait to do a neonatal exam on the baby until it gets a little older, giving them the opportunity to continue to bond without any disturbance.
Squirrel monkey babies ride on their mother’s back for approximately 10 weeks, before slowly beginning to explore on their own. They remain dependent on their mother for 10-12 months.
We invite the public to visit our new addition in the GPZ’s Primate Building. However, we do ask that visitors try to be as quiet and respectful as possible while mom and baby adjust to life together.
GPZ is open all year, with many animals on exhibit – indoors and throughout the Zoo grounds, weekly education programs, and a collection of fascinating and rare taxidermy specimens in the Delbridge Museum of Natural History. The gift shop features a snack bar offering a variety of coffee drinks and more.
For more information on the animals living at GPZ, visit GreatZoo.org.
(The Great Plains Zoo contributed this story/news release.)
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