Baby Boom at the Santa Ana Zoo has Visitors ‘oohing’ and ‘aahing’!

Another new baby monkey is born at the Santa Ana Zoo!

No, you’re not seeing double, the Santa Ana Zoo in Prentice Park is pleased to announce the birth of the second Silvery Langur (Trachypithecus cristatus) this year. Born on the 22nd of February, 2012, the baby and its parents, Ripley and Oliver, are doing fine. 

This bright orange baby monkey joins the Zoo’s other baby langur born on January 31st. Both babies share the same father but have different mothers.  Silvery Langur monkeys are born bright orange and turn silver-gray starting at about three to five months old.  Mature Silvery Langurs weigh around 15 pounds when fully grown.  In the wild, this monkey lives in the tropical forests of Indonesia and Malaysia where they are threatened by deforestation.

 photo by Ethan Fisher

Zoo attendance has increased due to the crowds of people coming to see the first new baby. “Our visitors have been flabbergasted when they see two orange babies instead of one,” says Kent Yamaguchi, Zoo Director.   The first baby born in January has already started to venture away from its mother and has been seen investigating this new addition to the family.  “Zoos are important places where people can learn about the need to conserve these amazing creatures. The color change of the baby Langur monkeys is just one example of the remarkable animals that share our earth,” says Yamaguchi. 

The new Langurs are a tremendous boost to the Silvery Langur population in North America that currently numbers approximately 50 animals.   This birth at the Santa Ana Zoo was a collaborative effort with Species Survival Plan Program through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.   The mission of the AZA Species Survival Plan Programs is to manage and conserve select threatened or endangered, ex situ populations through the cooperation of AZA-accredited Zoos and Aquariums.

The new baby is on view for the public daily between 10:00AM and 4:00PM at the Santa Ana Zoo in Prentice Park, 1801 Chestnut Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92701. Admission is $8.00 for adults, $5.00 for seniors and children 3-12 years. Children under three are free. For more information call 714-836-4000 or visit our website at: www.santaanazoo.org. 

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