A baby howler monkey was born at the Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem to Yemima, the group’s oldest female, and her mate, 10-year-old Shelby.
This marks the third offspring for the pair, whose bond surprised zookeepers after Shelby was brought from the UK to mate with Yemima’s daughter, Zephyr.
Howler monkeys, native to the rainforests of South America, are the loudest land animals, with calls that can carry up to 3 miles (4.8 kilometers).
The endangered species faces threats from habitat loss and hunting. The zoo’s group participates in a global conservation effort led by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA).
Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play: https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store: https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv
The newborn, estimated to weigh about 150 grams (0.33 pounds) at birth, has not yet been weighed. “We would never separate a baby from its mother just to weigh or examine it, unless there’s a medical concern,” said Noa Danin, head of the zoo’s primates department. Instead, the zoo uses a scale placed near the enclosure to allow the monkeys to step on naturally.
Visitors to the zoo can see the baby clinging to its mother’s back as the family sunbathes on hammocks and high ledges. Howler monkeys’ long, prehensile tails help them navigate their dense forest habitats, another adaptation that highlights their resilience amid ongoing conservation challenges.