ATLANTA — Zoo Atlanta has welcomed its newest animal with the birth of a Schmidt's guenon over the weekend. The infant, whose name has not been announced, was born on June 1.
The new addition is the second offspring of parents Bam and JJ. Guests are encouraged to come and see the family, including sibling Flynn, born in 2022, at the Zoo's Monkeys of Makokou complex.
“Zoo Atlanta is thrilled to welcome the Schmidt’s guenon infant,” Gina Ferrie, PhD, Vice President of Collections and Conservation, said in the release. “We look forward to watching this infant grow and help us tell that story, and we are excited for this new individual to support the growing AZA population.”
The species is not endangered, but does face challenges similar to species that are, according to the release. The population is widely stable, as they are found in multiple African habitats, including rainforests, woodlands, deciduous forests and swamplands. However, their habitats are threatened by deforestation.
Furthermore, Schmidt's guenons are one of many species threatened by the illegal bushmeat trade, which overharvests animal populations for human food. In fact, JJ, the infant monkey's father, was orphaned by the bushmeat trade, the release said.
Schmidt's guenons are also known as red-tailed monkeys Schmidt's red-tailed monkeys, red-tailed guenons and black-cheeked white-nosed monkeys.
Guenons are characterized by large cheek pouches used for storing food during foraging and distinguished by their long, chestnut-colored tails, which can be up to 35 inches long. The species also features heart-shaped noses and distinctive greyish-blue coloration around the eyes. Males can weigh up to ten pounds, and females can weigh up to eight pounds.