Even though the newest arrival at
Lincoln Park Zoo only weighs a few ounces, the diminutive Bolivian Gray Titi
(pronounced tee-tee) Mmonkey is a big deal. The baby, born August 18, is the
ninth offspring for its parents, and its mother is the oldest of her species to
give birth in a North American zoo.

Animal care staffers do not know yet if the little one,
which joins a small population of only around 50 other Bolivian Gray Titi
monkeys in accredited zoos nationwide, is a boy or a girl – but they do know it
is adorable!

“The baby is spending most of its time nestled in the thick
fur on mom’s back, but we do get a glimpse of its little face peeking up now
and then,” said Curator of Primates Maureen Leahy. “Dad and the siblings are
playfully curious with the new arrival, and the whole group is responding
appropriately to the addition.”

Mom Delasol, 21, and dad Ocala, 15, are well-versed in the
ways of parenting. Just last October they welcomed their eighth offspring
together, a male aptly named Ocho, the Spanish word for eight. They are
recommended to breed by the Titi Monkey Species Survival Plan (SSP) and are one
of the most successful pairs on record.

As the oldest mother in the SSP to produce healthy
offspring, Delasol is a testament to the high quality animal care at Lincoln
Park Zoo and the special attention paid to aging animals. The birth is
particularly significant because Bolivian Gray Titi monkeys are declining in
their native South America due to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade.

Titi families are known for being tight-knit, and fathers
and siblings pitch in with childcare duties early on. The Titi Monkeys at
Lincoln Park Zoo can often be seen sitting closely together on the same branch
and intertwining their tails as a bonding behavior.

Photo Credits: Christopher Bijalba /
Lincoln Park Zoo.