March 29, 2011
Grandmother Sonya starts to care for Estela
Spider Monkey baby Estela has been getting round-the-clock care for more than two months from a team of dedicated Primate Keepers.
They're aiming to gradually get the cooperation of Estela's grandmother, Sonya, to help care for the baby.
Primate Supervisor Jess McKelson says ‘We're really functioning as surrogate mothers to both Estela and Sonya.
‘We've been introducing the two of them since shortly after Estela was born on January 17th, when her mother Sunshine wasn't able to care for her.
‘Sonya hasn't given birth since Sunshine was born in 1987, so we are working to stimulate her mothering instincts.
‘We have seen some real progress, with Sonya grooming Estela.
‘This morning Sonya sat right next to Estela and put her tail over the baby's head to reassure her.
‘Once we're confident that the baby is doing well enough, we will move her into the area where Sonya lives, adjacent to the Primate Department office area, so we will be able to keep a good eye on them.
‘We want the two of them to be together so Estela can learn how to be a Spider Monkey - for example, learning the vocalizations of her species from her grandmother.'
There are four Primate Keepers involved in the surrogate mothering of Estela, and they are providing feeds of infant formula every 3 and ½ hours.
Estela's birthweight was only a tiny 417 grams, but she now weighs 730 grams.
Keepers now plan on taking Estela out to visit Sonya in an outdoor area once or twice a day, depending on weather.
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