Zoo News
Blue Monkey Born on May 28, 2009 on Display
The newest addition to the Blue monkey family is on display in the Lied Jungle at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo. Omaha’s Zoo is one of four AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited zoos with Blue monkeys. There are only 14 Blue monkeys in zoos across North America and Omaha’s Zoo is home to eight.
Blue monkeys originate from rainforests in central, eastern and southern Africa. They have brown or grayish color fur everywhere except their face. Despite their name, they have no noticeable blue coloring although the darkness of their face can have a blue tint at times. Blue monkeys prefer humid, shady areas to inhabit. They mainly eat fruits and leaves but are known to eat an occasional slow-moving slug or worm. Blue monkeys are a social species living in groups of 10-40 individuals.