After an already rocky start to 2022, there is a little glimmer of happiness in the Sioux Falls animal kingdom. The Great Plains Zoo just welcomed a new squirrel monkey into their troop. The new monkey is the eighth monkey born to parents Daphne and Ned. 

At this time the zoo does not know the sex of the new addition. Daphne is an excellent mom and has already had seven other offspring that have gone to different zoos around the country, some of them even having offspring of their own. In order to protect the relationship between Daphne and her newborn, the Great Plains Zoo staff have decided to wait on performing any sort of neonatal examination until the baby gets a little older.

Squirrel monkey babies hang on to their mothers for about 10 weeks before they begin to explore on their own. Squirrel monkeys remain dependent on their mothers until they turn one year old. 

“We invite the public to visit our new addition in the GPZ’s Primate Building. However, we do ask that visitors try to be as quiet and respectful as possible while mom and baby adjust to life together,” said The Great Plains Zoo. 

The pandemic has been hard on everyone, even the animals at the GPZ. Last fall the big cats had exhibit experienced a COVID outbreak, causing the unfortunate passing of their newly added Snow Leopard, Baya. Baya came from the Akron zoo earlier on in the spring as a part of a snow leopard breeding program. Luckily Baya was the only cat affected.

On a happier note, the Great Plains Zoo is holding an event this Feb. 12, 2022, called “Woo at the Zoo.” 

“Come show some love to your favorite animals by giving them a special valentine!” said GPZ. The zoo also encourages the public to check their social media: @greatplainszoo on Instagram and Facebook for more information. 

The Great Plains Zoo is also holding an Animal Enrichment day on Mar. 26, 2022. The event features multiple different animal enrichment activities throughout the day and the cost of the event is free with admission. See the event schedule below:

Enrichment Schedule:

1:00 p.m.  Amur Tigers

1:30 p.m.  Snow Monkeys

2:00 p.m.  Siamang Gibbons

2:30 p.m.  Black Bears

3:00 p.m.  Eastern Black Rhinos

3:30 p.m.  African Wild Dogs

Photo and Event Info By The Great Plains Zoo