Our newest zoo development ‘Patas Plains’ is now open!
We don’t ‘monkey around’ when it comes to investing in new developments and improving our enclosures – and we’re proud to have recently opened our custom designed Patas Plains exhibit. A new and improved habitat for our troop of six patas monkeys.
“What’s that? Our Patas Plains enclosure is now open?!”
We’re one of just two zoo’s in the UK housing patas monkeys – the other being Monkey World based in Dorset. We are however, the only UK facility to house an actively breeding troop as part of the European Breeding Programme for the species and have already successfully bred twice.
Located near the Kifaru Reserve rhino enclosure, this impressive new development allows guests to get an improved view of these amazing animals. Consisting of a large outdoor area and impressive house with various bedrooms, every detail has been carefully designed to encourage the natural behaviours of the primates. There’s even a ‘bio floor’ or ‘living floor’ with natural materials for the primates to explore and forage for bugs to snack on and a vast amount of space for them to shelter from the weather or have some privacy if they want. Keepers will also be able to work more closely with the primates to carry out training procedures – essential for running necessary health checks without causing stress to the animals.
Guests have already been enjoying the new views of our patas monkeys
The large outside area of their new habitat has various willow trees that are starting to flourish, for the animals to seek shelter and rest, as well as plenty of climbing frames for them to explore – and great viewing areas for our guests. The large viewing windows into their house also allows guests to watch the patas monkeys even if the animals choose to be indoors.
Just one of the ‘natural’ bedrooms inside the primate house
Our troop consists of six patas monkeys. We have dad ‘Krusty’, females ‘Zweena’ and ‘Zora’, two year old ‘Wyatt’ and 11 month old ‘Swift’. Last but by no means least, we have our newest arrival…Four month old infant, ‘Kelce’ (our keepers are huge Taylor Swift fans)!
Four month old patas infant Kelce is already stealing our hearts
This adorable youngster can be seen in the new enclosure, still being carried around by mum Zora but slowly starting to explore independently.
Kelce can be seen with mum Zora
The troop have settled in wonderfully into their new and improved habitat
Patas monkeys are terrestrial so are more often found exploring at ground level, but they’re actually the fastest primate in the world and can reach speeds of over 30mph! They’re sadly classed as a ‘near threatened’ species on the IUCN Red List, with habitat loss and being hunted for bush meat in the wild some of their main threats.
