Spider monkey birth

• "Raven" and "Xavier," a pair of Mexican spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi vellerosus) at the Palm Beach Zoo became proud parents on November 18th. This highly anticipated birth is extremely important to the population of this critically endangered species in North American AZA Zoos and to the staff here at the zoo. One of the zoo's specialties is New World primate species. This successful birth is a tribute to the great animal care and expertise provided by our staff.
• Typically, members of the Ateles species give birth to one offspring every two to four years after a gestation period of 220 days. Raven gave birth high in the large ficus tree that is the center of the Primate Island exhibit. The new baby immediately began clinging to mom and nursing.
• This is Raven's first baby and the first spider monkey birth at the Palm Beach Zoo since the birth of Raven's brother "Poquito" 14 years ago.
• Raven was born at the Palm Beach Zoo on October 10, 1993. Xavier came to the zoo from the Gladys Porter Zoo in Texas in February of 2004 to pair with Raven for breeding purposes.
• The new family can be seen daily at the Primate Island exhibit in the Tropics of the Americas section of the zoo.
• Native to portions of Central America and Mexico, this species is critically endangered in the wild. Their critical status is the result of habitat loss, hunting and capture of wild animals for the pet trade.
• Captive North American AZA zoo populations are managed under the Spider Monkey Species Survival Plan (SSP) Breeding Program. Keith Lovett, Palm Beach Zoo's Director of Living Collections, serves as the Manager for this SSP and Gwen Lovett, Palm Beach Zoo's Curator of Animal Programs, serves as the studbook keeper for all Ateles species in North America.