Spot-nosed guenon Indi hanging out on the swing in the lower exhibit
I just wanted to update everyone on some of the changes that are happening in Lost Forest at the San Diego Zoo. If you remember reading my older posts, Monkeys, Otters, and More and More about Monkeys and Otters, some of the same animals are still monkeying around in their current exhibits.
In the lower mixed-species exhibit, we still have our Allen’s swamp monkeys: Kinah, Deriai, Layla, Shaba and Nub. Our little juveniles are growing up so fast and still love to hang out with our spotted-necked otters from time to time. The spotted-necked otters currently in the lower exhibit are Mzee and Lila; however, you are not going to see them together. Mzee is Lila’s father, and we keep them separate so they don’t breed. Consequently, we rotate the two otters on exhibit, so one day you will see Mzee going down the water slides and Lila wrestling with the swamp monkeys the next. The otters don’t seem to mind at all!
You might also see some new faces in the lower exhibit, ones with blue faces, white cheeks, and white spots on their noses. These are our three, new spot-nosed guenon siblings: Indi, Chi-Chi, and Tiko. The first few weeks on exhibit, they were inseparable. They were like three monkeys in one. Wherever one went, the other two followed. You will see this close-knit behavior on exhibit. Indi and Chi-Chi are the two females. Indi has a little more meat on her bones. You will most likely see her try to take over any food situation. Chi-Chi, the smaller female, lets Indi eat her portions to keep their hierarchy balanced. But don’t worry, everyone gets enough food on and off exhibit. Tiko is the larger male spot-nosed guenon and loves to be groomed by the females. You will see him stretched out on one of the platforms with his legs and arms hanging down in such bliss. Every once in a while they interact with the swamp monkeys, but they definitely like to stay close to one another.
Spot-nosed guenons Indi, Chi Chi, and Tiko
In the upper exhibit, our adorable Allen’s swamp monkey pair, Jaribu and Ota, are doing great. Patty and Abu, the spot-nosed guenons who were in the lower exhibit last year, are now in the upper exhibit to accommodate our new arrivals. You’ll see Patty and Abu way up top in the trees where they like to hang out. Haraka and Spike, the spot-nosed guenons who used to be in this area, are now in the mixed-species area of Lost Forest with the mandrills and Angolan colobus.
And do you remember our charismatic Congo buffalo, Helen? She is still striding around the exhibit checking on what everyone else is doing or just relaxing in the back catching some Zs. Some of you might recall our spot-necked otter Khalil. He was paired with a female to start his own family and now resides at a different zoo. His mother, Pori, now inhabits the upper exhibit side. Mother otters in most cases isolate out the older daughter, and fathers isolate their sons after maturity due to competition for breeding. This is why Pori is housed alone as of now. If we get a breeding recommendation to breed Pori, then she may be paired with a male. For now, we wait and enjoy her company with the rest of the animals in the upper exhibit.
African spot-necked otter Pori grabs a fish in the deep pool while Jaribu watches.
Last but not least are our red river hogs! Helen’s red river hog friend from last year, Oboi, was transferred to breed with females at another zoo. Now Helen has some new friends to snuggle with. Our new additions include Hamela and Amy. A little shy at first, they warmed up to our older red river hog residents of a couple of months, Tarzan and CT. Talk about an inseparable foursome! You will love seeing this cuddle fest in the back of the exhibit. All four pigs and Helen took to each other rather quickly. Even behind the scenes, Helen and the pigs share the same beds, making it a cute group of “red” sleeping together. Helen is such a mom figure to these piggies!
(Clockwise) Helen the Congo buffalo, red river hogs CT, Hamela, Amy, and Tarzan
Well, hopefully you can come down and enjoy the new company of animals as much as I do. I randomly toss treats to the critters in the late morning/early afternoon, so come by and say hi!
Jasmine Almonte is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Thanks Jasmine for the Lost Forest update. There is so much to see in this area that it is hard to leave at times. I find it amazing that Helen spends her off exhibit time with the Red River Hogs also. She doesn’t seem to mind that they are smaller and slightly different than herself. I think she just likes the company. Are there any plans to get some more Congo Buffalo?
Hello Lee! Thanks for your comment
Helen does enjoy the pig’s company. Just a week or two ago, we had to hold one of the pigs in to check her feet while the rest were on exhibit, but Helen just waited by the door the whole time to make sure her pig friend was okay until we put her back on exhibit. So cute! Unfortunately, there are no plans as of now to get Helen another Congo buffalo friend because she is the only Congo buffalo left in North American zoos and the oldest! I don’t think she minds, though, and she obviously is doing super well and is happy with her red river hog companions!
Hi again! Just wanted to update people that are reading this blog. Just recently, we swapped otters from one side to the other exhibit. So now Mzee, the spot-necked otter male, is in the upper mixed-species exhibit where the big pool viewing is located and Pori is in the lower mixed-species exhibit and being rotated with Lila every day. The reason they got swapped is because Pori is on antihistamines due to some itchiness; they make her a little drowsy, so I’d like to keep her in and monitor her while she’s inside. Lila is on exhibit for most of the day, 9am-4:30ish, then we swap and let Pori have some exhibit fun in the evening until the morning and rotate again. Mzee is enjoying the change of scenery. Plus, this makes for great enrichment to give them different environments (and animals) to discover. If anyone has any further questions, feel free to ask
BLAZE THE ORANG AT ZOO ATLANTA IS EXPECTING. DO THEIR
BELLIES GET BIG LIKE HUMANS?
Orangutans, like all mammals, have an increase in girth during pregnancy. This is because of the increasing size of the fetus.
Are there any plans to make a trail above the walkways for the Orangs and other primates like in the Shanghi zoo and I think another zoo in the US ? Thanks for all you do for the animals in your care.
Moderator’s note: We do have an upper walkway in our Lost Forest area that gives the feeling of being in the forest canopy.