The Cape May County Park and Zoo has announced the arrival of a 6-year-old male Black Howler monkey named Diego.
Diego arrived in April from a zoo in Ohio to be a companion for the zoo’s resident female Howler monkey, A.J. They can be viewed at Primate Point daily during zoo hours, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Black Howler monkeys are endemic to the rainforests of South America. Their prehensile tail acts as a fifth limb to help them get around in the trees.
They are born with gold fur, which turns black when a male reaches around 2 years of age. Females retain the golden color, making it easy to tell them apart. Howler monkeys are known for their loud, territorial “howl” that can be heard miles away.
In other news, the zoo announced that Cody, an American black bear who has resided at the zoo since 2005, was euthanized by the veterinarian staff following a decline in health due to his advanced age; he was 20.
Cody was one of the staff favorites due to his laid-back personality and handsome appearance. He loved peanut butter snacks, swimming in his pool and napping in the shade at the corner of his yard.
He was enthusiastic when training and always cooperated to shift, even when he was intent on following his keepers wherever they went. The keepers will fondly remember high-fives with him.
