CT's Beardsley Zoo Breaks Ground on New Spider Monkey Habitat

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo has announced the official groundbreaking of a spacious indoor/outdoor habitat for a troop of Black-handed Spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi geoffroyi), arriving at the Zoo in spring, 2019. Native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, the Spider monkeys will join the Zoo’s family of animals when their habitat is complete. 

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo board members, Zoo staff, and Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim will gather for a groundbreaking event for the Zoo’s newest habitat on Thursday, November 1 at 11 a.m.The site was once home to elephants, which were removed from the Zoo and sent to more appropriate living quarters in 1985.

The new Spider monkey habitat will feature a landscaped outdoor yard with multiple opportunities for climbing and engaging in social behaviors. The monkeys will have free choice in whether to be inside or outside, and large guest viewing windows will be offered in both locations. Naming opportunities for major donors are still available. Interested parties can contact Jessica Summers at jsummers@beardsleyzoo.orgor call 203-394-6573.

“Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo continues to grow, allowing us to expand on our mission of animal conservation and education. The South American Spider monkeys are another chapter in the story of diversity and richness of life in South America,” said Gregg Dancho, zoo director. 

“Our heartfelt thanks to the City of Bridgeport and Mayor Joe Ganim for helping to fund our newest habitat,” Dancho added. Thank you also to our dedicated staff, Board of Directors, and volunteers.”

Mayor Ganim said, “The spider monkey habitat is another wonderful addition to an already exciting attraction in the City of Bridgeport. Gregg Dancho, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo board members, and staff continue to attract visitors from neighboring states with engaging exhibits that enrich and educate. Our new residents will bring rich, tropical forests right here to our backyard.”

About Black-handed Spider Monkeys

Black-handed Spider monkeys (genus Ateles geoffroyi geoffroyi)are large, extremely agile monkeys that live in tropical rainforests from southern Mexico through Central and South America to Brazil. In spite of their thumbless hands, this primate can move swiftly through the trees, using its long tail as a fifth limb, sometimes suspending by its tail while eating. They spend much of their time in treetops, foraging for food: nuts, fruits, leaves, bird eggs, and spiders. They can be noisy and communicate with many different calls, screeches, and barks. The coat color varies from light buff to reddish-brown or black, and as the common name implies, the hands and feet are usually black. Both males and females weigh approximately five pounds, and normal lifespan is 22 years, both in human care and in the wild.Their survival is threatened by hunting, and habitat destruction from logging and deforestation. Spider monkeys are a highly threatened species, with three species listed as critically endangered, five as endangered and one as vulnerable. The Black-handed Spider monkey is endangered, with a decreasing population in the wild. 

About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

Spend the day a world away! Connecticut's only zoo, celebrating its 96thanniversary, features 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species. Guests won't want to miss our Giant anteaters, Amur (Siberian) tigers and yearling tiger cubs, Amur leopards, Brazilian ocelot, Red wolves, and Golden Lion tamarins. Other highlights include our new Natt Family Red Panda Habitat, South American rainforest with free-flight aviary, the prairie dog exhibit with "pop-up" viewing areas, the New England Farmyard with goats, pigs, and other barnyard critters, plus the hoofstock trail featuring bison, deer, and more. Guests can grab a bite at the Peacock Café, eat in the Picnic Grove, and enjoy a ride on our colorful carousel. For more information, visit beardsleyzoo.org

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Submitted by Fairfield, CT

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