Colobus Monkey Family Back on Exhibit in Toledo Zoo's Primate Forest

By Cyndi Condit 

Toledo, OH - For Asante, the baby colobus monkey born at The Toledo Zoo on Thanksgiving 2008, it’s been a long journey from her birth to her first appearance on exhibit. It’s been a long time in coming, but The Toledo Zoo is pleased to announce that Asante and her family can now be seen in the Zoo’s Primate Forest.

Asante lost her mother Sara in January. Although Sara was stricken by illness following Asante’s birth, she continued to provide an inspiring level of care for her little one right up to the end, nursing frequently and generally demonstrating good maternal behaviors to the best of her ability. After Sara’s death, Asante lived off-exhibit next to her father Mateko and two brothers Sefu and Sudi as she was hand-reared by Zoo staff. Meanwhile, the Zoo looked for an adult female colobus monkey to act as a surrogate mother for Asante and a companion for the rest of the family.

During that time, Asante was introduced to her father and brothers. The Zoo’s animal care staff was pleased to see the introductions go well, and was equally encouraged by the successful introduction of the new adult female, named Freefall, who comes to The Toledo Zoo from the North Carolina Zoo.

The Toledo Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located on the Anthony Wayne Trail (US 25), four miles south of downtown Toledo. For more information, please visit www.toledozoo.org or call (419) 385-4040. Lucas County residents are admitted free of charge each Monday from 10 a.m. to noon. ID showing proof of residency is required.

The Toledo Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA). Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is building North America’s largest wildlife conservation movement.

To view The Toledo Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to: http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-50-Toledo_Zoo