Lincoln Park Zoo Welcomed Colobus Monkey Infant
Nola, a seven-year-old colobus monkey, gave birth to a male infant at the Chicago zoo last month.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Wildlife
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Lincoln Park Zoo announced the birth of a male colobus monkey, born to seven-year-old mother Nola and 11-year-old father Oku. The infant currently features a pink face and white fur, a characteristic color for the species at birth.
Why it matters
The successful birth follows a breeding recommendation from the Guereza Colobus Species Survival Plan, which works to manage and maintain healthy zoo populations of the species.
Colobus monkeys are born with white coats to allow adults to track them, but they begin transitioning to black adult coloring between six weeks and six months of age. Adults of the species can grow tails reaching up to 35 inches in length.
The players
Nola
She is a seven-year-old colobus monkey residing at Lincoln Park Zoo.
Oku
He is an 11-year-old colobus monkey at Lincoln Park Zoo and the father of the new infant.
Lincoln Park Zoo
Located in Chicago, this institution is one of the oldest zoos in the United States and participates in various species survival programs.
The details
The birth occurred on Sept. 24, 2026, as part of the ongoing Species Survival Plan efforts for the equatorial African primate. The infant will begin its transition to a black adult coat in about six weeks, with the process expected to conclude within six months.
Timeline
A colobus monkey birth occurred at Woodland Park Zoo in June 2026.
Nola gave birth to a male infant on Sept. 24, 2026.
Culture Shift
This birth reflects the broader shift toward managed conservation breeding programs that prioritize genetic diversity in zoo populations over wild capture. Such efforts follow the structured framework of the Guereza Colobus Species Survival Plan to ensure species sustainability in human care.
Residents and visitors can observe the infant as it transitions from its white birth coat to its adult coloration over the coming months. Guests should check the zoo website for current public viewing hours as the infant and mother bond in their enclosure.
The takeaway
The white coat of the infant serves as a vital survival mechanism, allowing troop members to easily locate their young in the dense foliage of their natural habitat. Monitoring this color transition offers a unique look at how physical development signals social and biological maturation in primates.
Further reading
Learn more about local conservation efforts in our Wildlife section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Discover Magazine.
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