Trunkline Magazine (Louisville Zoo) December 2018 | Page 6

The expanded African Outpost deck will provide a relaxing space to watch the primates climb and explore.
care, and create a safeguard for
animals facing extinction in the van-
ishing wild. So, once the primates
are settled in — you may even get
the opportunity to see the precious
offspring of these beautiful pri-
mates. That will be some time down
the road however, as keepers will
first need to spend several months
helping the animals get accustomed
to their new environment and to
each other! “Right now, we’re
anticipating the arrival of 7 primates.
We’re very excited to get started and
get to know each of the individuals
and their particular personalities,”
said Jill Katka, Assistant Curator of
Mammals.
As you visit these wonder-
ful monkeys and learn about the
challenges they face, know that just
by supporting the Zoo — you make
a difference. Your support, through
visits and memberships, helps us to
provide financial resources to field
conservationists like Pan African
Sanctuary Alliance (PASA), an organi-
zation helping primates through res-
cue, research, and public outreach.
You can learn more about PASA on
page 7.
As we celebrate our 50th anniver-
sary and the opening of these new
exhibits in spring 2019, we hope
you will come visit us, meet our
new furry ambassadors and allow
your heart to be moved by these
incredible creatures.
Schmidt's red-tailed monkey
A Woolly Update!
In the 1990s, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) New World
Primate Taxon Advisory Group announced plans to phase woolly monkeys
out of North American zoo collections. This allowed European zoos to lead
the focus on helping this species outside of South America, but also made
it impossible to maintain a sustainable population of woolly monkeys in
accredited zoos in our country.
The Louisville Zoo’s woolly monkeys were retired in 2016 and moved
behind-the-scenes in the giraffe house. The New World Primate Taxon
Advisory Group determined it was in the monkeys' best interest to remain
together in Louisville with their long-time caretaker, woolly monkey expert
and Zoo keeper Silvia Zirkelbach. The woollys enjoy both indoor and outdoor
spaces where they can climb, munch and explore while receiving specialized
attention. If you look carefully, you may be able to see them from the Zoo’s
train as it passes behind the giraffe exhibit.
6 • Louisville Zoo Trunkline • Winter 2018