Rosamond Gifford Zoo's 5 new monkeys are among 70 in human care nationwide.
A patas monkey is seen in the African Plains exhibit at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, Wash.Syracuse, NY – Five members of one of the fastest primate species on the planet are about to make their debut at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.
The zoo’s five new patas monkeys have completed their post-arrival quarantine and are ready to greet the public when their exhibit formally opens on Tuesday, zoo officials said.
In acquiring the group – an adult male, two adult females and two female offspring – from the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Fla., the Burnet Park facility becomes one of 15 U.S. zoos to house patas monkeys, zoo officials said. The five are among 70 patas monkeys in human care nationwide.
The slender, long-limbed members of the guenon primate family are built for life on the ground. The natives of west and central Africa can reach speeds exceeding 30 mph. A distinctive white area around their mouths makes it look like they’re wearing mustaches.
Visitors will find the patas monkey exhibit next to the lemurs for now, and eventually at the recently opened outdoor Primate Park.