Monkey business at Vandalur as zoo gets 3 more simian species

The zoo, under the animal exchange programme, acquired three species of exotic primates from the Mysore zoo. These small simian varieties (monkey species) had adapted to the zoo conditions and would be on public display from Saturday, a statement from the zoo said.

The Vandalur zoo has many attractive primate species such as chimpanzee, Savannah baboon and the new species add to that. The received pair of Capuchin monkey, Squirrel monkey and Red-handed tamarin are now ready to be placed before visitors, the zoo said. Thorough quarantine and screening had been completed and they were active and playful.

Squirrel monkey has a very attractive feature with a very long tail. The Red tamarin species is unique for its red limbs and black body. The Capuchin monkeys are known for their hyperactive acrobatics. These animals will be a visual delight for the public. The zoo is also a captive breeding centre for the critically endangered Lion tail macaques, an endemic monkey found in the rainforests of Coimbatore and the Nilgiris.