Winter Management of Tropical Primates

[Marcus A.]

Winter Management of Tropical Primates

Welcome to the second thread in our series on animal temperature management in captivity. In these threads, I aim to reach out to the community to share their observations and experiences—whether they are trained professionals or avid zoo-goers like myself—on how their local zoos or zoos they have worked at manage certain groups of animals during seasons that these animals typically do not encounter in their natural range.

In this thread, we will explore the winter management of tropical primates that are given outdoor access in the institutions where they are exhibited, particularly in temperate or Mediterranean regions.

For Zoo-Goers: What observations have you made regarding the winter management of tropical primates in your local zoo or any other zoo you frequent? Which species are given outdoor access year-round? How are their habitats designed? What behavioral observations have you made? Were there any days or circumstances where the species in question were off exhibit or fully indoors?

For Trained Professionals: What can you share about the winter management of tropical primates in the institutions you have worked at? What guidelines did you follow? How did these vary between species? What behavioral observations have you made that differ between various species of tropical primates? Which ones were more eager to go out on a chilly day? Feel free to omit the names of institutions if desired.

For reference and brainstorming, below is a list of tropical and subtropical primates that I’m aware have had a presence in zoos. Of course, information on other species that I may have missed is certainly welcome:

• Apes: Great Apes (Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Bonobo, Orangutans), Lesser Apes (Siamang, Lar Gibbon, Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon, etc.)
• Old World Monkeys: Guenons (De Brazza's, Diana, Mona, Wolf's Mona, Roloway, etc.), Allen's Swamp Monkey, Green Monkey, Patas Monkeys, Talapoins, Vervet, Grivet, Baboons (Hamadryas, Olive, Guinea, etc.), Gelada, Drill, Mandrill, Mangabeys (Black Crested, Collared, etc.), Macaques (Crab-Eating, Celebes Crested, Lion-Tailed, Pig-Tailed, Rhesus, etc.), Colobuses (Mantled Guereza, Angolan, etc.), Langurs (François', Hanuman/Gray, Javan Lutung, Silvery Lutung, etc.), Red-Shanked Douc, Proboscis Monkey, etc.
• New World Monkeys: Marmosets (Common, Silvery, Pygmy, Goeldi's, etc.), Tamarins (Golden Lion, Cotton-Top, Emperor, Pied, etc.), Capuchins (White-Faced, Tufted, etc.), Squirrel Monkeys (Guianan, Black-Capped, etc.), Night Monkeys (Azara's, Gray-Handed, etc.), Titis (Coppery, White-Eared, etc.), Sakis (White-Faced, etc.), Uakaris (Bald, etc.), Howlers (Black, Colombian Red, etc.), Spider Monkeys (Geoffroy's, Black-Headed, Brown, etc.), Woolly Monkeys, etc.
• Tarsiers: Spectral, Philippine, etc.
• Lemurs: Aye-Aye, Dwarf Lemurs (Fat-Tailed, etc.), Mouse Lemurs (Gray, Goodman's, etc.), Sifakas (Coquerel's, Crowned, etc.), Ruffed Lemurs (Red, Black-And-White), True Lemurs (Black, Blue-Eyed Black, Collared, Common Brown, Crowned, Mongoose, Red-Bellied, Red-Fronted, White-Fronted, etc.), Bamboo Lemurs (Greater, Lac Alaotra, etc.), Ring-Tailed Lemur, etc.
• Lorisoids: Slow Lorises (Pygmy, Bengal, Greater/Sunda, Javan, etc.), Slender Lorises (Red, etc.), Pottos (Bosman's, etc.), Angwantibos, Lesser Bushbabies (Senegal, Mohol, etc.), Greater Galagos (Garnett's, Brown, etc.), etc.

I have excluded temperate species (e.g., Japanese and Barbary macaques, golden snub-nosed monkeys, etc.) from the description, but if some members have experience with these, please share. However, experiences and information on tropical species are more relevant in the context of this thread.

Thank you in advance for your contributions!

 

[15399]

Welcome to the second temperature tolerance thread by animal group in our series. In these threads, I aim to reach out to the community to share their expertise or experiences—whether they are trained professionals or avid zoo-goers like myself—on how animals cope with temperature extremes in the zoos they have worked at or visited, with a focus on the protocols, guidelines, and cutoff temperatures followed for these species by the zoos themselves. Names of institutions can be left out if desired.

In this thread, we will look into the cold tolerance of tropical primates that are given outdoor access in the institutions where they are exhibited, in warm temperate regions or colder.

If available, please share the temperature protocols for these species, particularly the cutoff temperatures where the animals are still allowed to choose whether to stay outside (with indoor/heating access) and the temperatures at which they are not allowed outside at all (lock-in). Any behavioral observations for a given temperature, information on lower thermal tolerance, as well as comparisons between similar species (in behavior or guidelines) are also welcome.

For reference, below is a list of tropical and subtropical primates that I'm aware have had a presence in zoos, but of course, information on other species that I have potentially missed is certainly welcome:

• Apes: Great Apes (Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Bonobo, Orangutans), Lesser Apes (Siamang, Lar Gibbon, Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon, etc.)
• Old World Monkeys: Guenons (De Brazza's, Diana, Mona, Wolf's Mona, Roloway, etc.), Allen's Swamp Monkey, Green Monkey, Patas Monkeys, Talapoins, Vervet, Grivet, Baboons (Hamadryas, Olive, Guinea, etc.), Gelada, Drill, Mandrill, Mangabeys (Black Crested, Collared, etc.), Macaques (Crab-Eating, Celebes Crested, Lion-Tailed, Pig-Tailed, Rhesus, etc.), Colobuses (Mantled Guereza, Angolan, etc.), Langurs (François', Hanuman/Gray, Javan Lutung, Silvery Lutung, etc.), Red-Shanked Douc, Proboscis Monkey, etc.
• New World Monkeys: Marmosets (Common, Silvery, Pygmy, Goeldi's, etc.), Tamarins (Golden Lion, Cotton-Top, Emperor, Pied, etc.), Capuchins (White-Faced, Tufted, etc.), Squirrel Monkeys (Guianan, Black-Capped, etc.), Night Monkeys (Azara's, Gray-Handed, etc.), Titis (Coppery, White-Eared, etc.), Sakis (White-Faced, etc.), Uakaris (Bald, etc.), Howlers (Black, Colombian Red, etc.), Spider Monkeys (Geoffroy's, Black-Headed, Brown, etc.), Woolly Monkeys, etc.
• Tarsiers: Spectral, Philippine, etc.
• Lemurs: Aye-Aye, Dwarf Lemurs (Fat-Tailed, etc.), Mouse Lemurs (Gray, Goodman's, etc.), Sifakas (Coquerel's, Crowned, etc.), Ruffed Lemurs (Red, Black-And-White), True Lemurs (Black, Blue-Eyed Black, Collared, Common Brown, Crowned, Mongoose, Red-Bellied, Red-Fronted, White-Fronted, etc.), Bamboo Lemurs (Greater, Lac Alaotra, etc.), Ring-Tailed Lemur, etc.
• Lorisoids: Slow Lorises (Pygmy, Bengal, Greater/Sunda, Javan, etc.), Slender Lorises (Red, etc.), Pottos (Bosman's, etc.), Angwantibos, Lesser Bushbabies (Senegal, Mohol, etc.), Greater Galagos (Garnett's, Brown, etc.), etc.

I excluded temperate species (e.g. Japanese and Barbary macaques, golden snub-nosed monkey, etc.) in the description, but if some members have experience with these, please share. However, experiences and information on tropical species are more relevant in the context of this thread.

Thank you in advance for your contributions!

Geladas and Hamadryas baboons are going to be two of your most cold tolerant species listed.

I'd recommend looking at some of the AZA care manuals for any species you are interested in. Not all taxa are covered yet, but a lot of the major ones are- and they are a great resource for this type of question: Animal Care Manuals | Association of Zoos & Aquariums

For example, I'll look at one of the primate ones for you here- with a quote from the Gorilla Care Manual.

Outdoor Temperature: The comfort range for gorillas is between 20–30° C (65–85° F), but with gradual acclimatization, many tropical primates can tolerate outdoor temperatures as low as 0° C (32° F) on sunny days. Wind speed and wind chill should be taken into account when evaluating outdoor conditions. The AZA Gorilla SSP recommends a minimum temperature for gorillas in outdoor conditions of 7° C (45° F). In these temperature ranges, the reactions of all individuals should be monitored closely and special care should always be taken to protect infants and older individuals from cold and inclement weather. Gorillas should be given access to heated, indoor holding if outdoor conditions are cold and wet. It is not recommended to allow gorillas outside if temperatures fall below 7° C (45° F) for adults and 10° C (50° F) for infants. Some institutions may choose to use a minimum of 10° C (50° F) for juvenile and geriatric gorillas as well. In addition, care should be taken to monitor gorilla health and wellbeing when temperatures exceed 30° C (85° F)

 

[cornu aspersum]

The EAZA also has guidelines on various primate species: PROGRAMMES » EAZA

 

[Marcus A.]

Geladas and Hamadryas baboons are going to be two of your most cold tolerant species listed.

I'd recommend looking at some of the AZA care manuals for any species you are interested in. Not all taxa are covered yet, but a lot of the major ones are- and they are a great resource for this type of question: Animal Care Manuals | Association of Zoos & Aquariums

For example, I'll look at one of the primate ones for you here- with a quote from the Gorilla Care Manual.

The EAZA also has guidelines on various primate species: PROGRAMMES » EAZA

Thank you for your responses and the references to the AZA and EAZA care manuals. I appreciate the detailed guidelines they provide, and I have already reviewed them extensively.

However, the aim of this thread is to gather personal observations, insights, and expertise that might not all be covered in these manuals.

For instance, the cold tolerance of geladas and hamadryas baboons (followed by the mantled guereza) is quite well known, predictable, and extensively mentioned in husbandry guidelines. Great apes are also well covered in husbandry guidelines, but many of the other species and their subtle differences are not easy to gather information on.

Another insight you might not gather from husbandry manuals is the variation in the practices of individual institutions. For example, even though they are not primates, meerkat best practice manuals do not recommend exposure to temperatures below 15°C for long due to their unexpectedly slow metabolism for their size and taxon. However, in their natural range, temperatures can plummet well below zero into the negative double digits at night, and you'll sometimes see zoos in Europe giving them outdoor access even when there is snow on the ground, with the meerkats having grown winter coats.

Since ZooChat is full of avid zoo-goers as well as professionals with expertise and experience with animals in zoos, I find it to be a great avenue to gather insights and detailed observations on individual species that cannot be inferred from husbandry manuals.

I look forward to hearing more about your personal experiences and observations!

 

[Chlidonias]

Is there a purpose to these threads? What are you collecting the information for?

 

[Marcus A.]

Is there a purpose to these threads? What are you collecting the information for?

To learn more about zoos and the natural history of animals? A lot of topics are discussed in detail in this forum, but I have found this area to be neglected for the most part, despite its importance in animal care, exhibit design and planning, and even in choosing which species to display based on the climate of the region where a zoo is located. Am I missing something?

 

[15399]

Thank you for your responses and the references to the AZA and EAZA care manuals. I appreciate the detailed guidelines they provide, and I have already reviewed them extensively.

However, the aim of this thread is to gather personal observations, insights, and expertise that might not all be covered in these manuals.

For instance, the cold tolerance of geladas and hamadryas baboons (followed by the mantled guereza) is quite well known, predictable, and extensively mentioned in husbandry guidelines. Great apes are also well covered in husbandry guidelines, but many of the other species and their subtle differences are not easy to gather information on.

Another insight you might not gather from husbandry manuals is the variation in the practices of individual institutions. For example, even though they are not primates, meerkat best practice manuals do not recommend exposure to temperatures below 15°C for long due to their unexpectedly slow metabolism for their size and taxon. However, in their natural range, temperatures can plummet well below zero into the negative double digits at night, and you'll sometimes see zoos in Europe giving them outdoor access even when there is snow on the ground, with the meerkats having grown winter coats.

Since ZooChat is full of avid zoo-goers as well as professionals with expertise and experience with animals in zoos, I find it to be a great avenue to gather insights and detailed observations on individual species that cannot be inferred from husbandry manuals.

I look forward to hearing more about your personal experiences and observations!

The AZA's Gorilla Care Manual was reviewed by employees of over twenty zoos housing gorillas. No offense, but I think I'd trust the expertise of a wide variety of experts as having more "observations, insights, and expertise" than a bunch of random people on the internet- most of whom have never worked with primates.

If you don't want to talk about apes, there's still plenty more care manuals on there! Experts from eight zoos contributed to the Colobus Care Manual, and experts from ten zoos contributed to the Eulemur Care Manual.

To learn more about zoos and the natural history of animals? A lot of topics are discussed in detail in this forum, but I have found this area to be neglected for the most part, despite its importance in animal care, exhibit design and planning, and even in choosing which species to display based on the climate of the region where a zoo is located. Am I missing something?

I think what you are "missing" is the fact that a lot of new members have in the past joined Zoo Chat to gain experts opinions on specific animal care topics, exhibit requirements, looking on information about how to found a zoo, etc., without realizing that most Zoo Chatters have never worked in a zoo.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

I think what you are "missing" is the fact that a lot of new members have in the past joined Zoo Chat to gain experts opinions on specific animal care topics, exhibit requirements, looking on information about how to found a zoo, etc., without realizing that most Zoo Chatters have never worked in a zoo.

And still others join Zoochat for the sole purpose of getting members to do the work required for school/college/university projects which they have been assigned - which is expressly banned within the forum rules. Given the general tone and "vibe" given off by the threads posted by Marcus thus far, and the fact they focus on a very specific theme, I suspect that the intent of Chlidonias' question was to ensure this was not the case here.

 

[Marcus A.]

The AZA's Gorilla Care Manual was reviewed by employees of over twenty zoos housing gorillas. No offense, but I think I'd trust the expertise of a wide variety of experts as having more "observations, insights, and expertise" than a bunch of random people on the internet- most of whom have never worked with primates.

If you don't want to talk about apes, there's still plenty more care manuals on there! Experts from eight zoos contributed to the Colobus Care Manual, and experts from ten zoos contributed to the Eulemur Care Manual.

Why would I take offense? I rely on care manuals as my primary resource and value them more than any light-hearted conversation in a forum environment. However, not all care manuals and protocols are public, so I was hoping to gain some additional insights here, particularly from members who have worked at a zoo. That’s why I mentioned I’d appreciate any input, from amateur observations to expert opinions, if available. The reason I didn’t focus on apes and several other groups isn’t due to a lack of interest, but rather because resources on those groups are already largely available.

I think what you are "missing" is the fact that a lot of new members have in the past joined Zoo Chat to gain experts opinions on specific animal care topics, exhibit requirements, looking on information about how to found a zoo, etc., without realizing that most Zoo Chatters have never worked in a zoo.

That wasn't my intention. I was hoping the brainstorming would be engaging and stimulate people’s memories, leading to an enjoyable conversation similar to the one we had in the reptile thread.

And still others join Zoochat for the sole purpose of getting members to do the work required for school/college/university projects which they have been assigned - which is expressly banned within the forum rules. Given the general tone and "vibe" given off by the threads posted by Marcus thus far, and the fact they focus on a very specific theme, I suspect that the intent of Chlidonias' question was to ensure this was not the case here.

I see, but my threads are for my own enjoyment and personal research, as I seek to engage in discussions on topics I’m passionate about. If my threads are causing more distress than enjoyment, feel free to delete them. I was hoping people would enjoy discussing these topics as much as I do, but I understand if that’s not the case.

 

[Aardwolf]

Short answer? A lot of it comes down to the habituation of the individual animals and what provision there is for indoor heated areas and the access to those areas. Philosophically, as a field we've moved away from the minimum standards that used to be in the old husbandry manuals (what's the minimum space for a lion? how cold can you allow a gorilla to get?) towards what we think of as "optimal guidelines."

This thread topic makes a (pun intended) cold shiver run down my spine. At various points in the early days of my career, I've worked at facilities that I felt really pushed the envelope as to how cold they could keep their primates (callitrichids, spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys, guenons) outside, for the very simple fact that there was no (or at least very inadequate) indoor housing. These were all facilities that were closed to the public in the winter, so there was no incentive for them to have indoor exhibits. I remember the owner of one of these zoos bragging to me about what a fine fellow he was because his monkeys were outside year round in the fresh air, as opposed to the big AZA zoo a few miles away, where the monkeys were housed indoors. What he never seemed to grasp was that his monkeys weren't outside in the fresh air year round - they spent about four months of each year in little wooden nest boxes pressed up against the heat lamp, which we all hoped wouldn't go out in the middle of a cold winter night.

I've worked with these species when temps got down to the 20's, outdoors with supplemental heating, though I would certainly not recommend it, and there came the inevitable night when the temps were just too low and we started to see some health problems.

Conversely, at another zoo that I worked at later in my career, when I was a lot more experienced and in a position to make decisions on animal care, rather than "shut up and shovel", I was able to talk the rest of the staff into letting the spider monkeys out when it was in the upper 30's and the sun was out, but they did have a comfortably large indoor, off-exhibit heated building to go into with full access while they were outside (prior to this, their temp cut off was 50). The monkeys seemed fine with this, especially in late winter when they had been inside for long periods during cold snaps. It also helped keepers give a deeper clean to the indoor areas when the monkeys were finally outside, even if they were only out for an hour or so. If I was too cold to comfortably be outside, I definitely assumed that they would feel too cold, and I always preferred to error on the side of caution for giving access.

 

[Marcus A.]

Short answer? A lot of it comes down to the habituation of the individual animals and what provision there is for indoor heated areas and the access to those areas. Philosophically, as a field we've moved away from the minimum standards that used to be in the old husbandry manuals (what's the minimum space for a lion? how cold can you allow a gorilla to get?) towards what we think of as "optimal guidelines."

This thread topic makes a (pun intended) cold shiver run down my spine. At various points in the early days of my career, I've worked at facilities that I felt really pushed the envelope as to how cold they could keep their primates (callitrichids, spider monkeys, squirrel monkeys, guenons) outside, for the very simple fact that there was no (or at least very inadequate) indoor housing. These were all facilities that were closed to the public in the winter, so there was no incentive for them to have indoor exhibits. I remember the owner of one of these zoos bragging to me about what a fine fellow he was because his monkeys were outside year round in the fresh air, as opposed to the big AZA zoo a few miles away, where the monkeys were housed indoors. What he never seemed to grasp was that his monkeys weren't outside in the fresh air year round - they spent about four months of each year in little wooden nest boxes pressed up against the heat lamp, which we all hoped wouldn't go out in the middle of a cold winter night.

I've worked with these species when temps got down to the 20's, outdoors with supplemental heating, though I would certainly not recommend it, and there came the inevitable night when the temps were just too low and we started to see some health problems.

Conversely, at another zoo that I worked at later in my career, when I was a lot more experienced and in a position to make decisions on animal care, rather than "shut up and shovel", I was able to talk the rest of the staff into letting the spider monkeys out when it was in the upper 30's and the sun was out, but they did have a comfortably large indoor, off-exhibit heated building to go into with full access while they were outside (prior to this, their temp cut off was 50). The monkeys seemed fine with this, especially in late winter when they had been inside for long periods during cold snaps. It also helped keepers give a deeper clean to the indoor areas when the monkeys were finally outside, even if they were only out for an hour or so. If I was too cold to comfortably be outside, I definitely assumed that they would feel too cold, and I always preferred to error on the side of caution for giving access.

Thank you for this amazing post. This kind of interaction and exchange was exactly what I was aiming and hoping for when creating these threads. I think it is very valuable to read about this kind of experience. When I used the term "insight," this is what I had in mind—comments that can inspire fellow amateur forum members or anyone surfing the internet for information on the topic. I love seeing people who approach animal welfare the way you do, erring on the side of caution even with years of experience.

Perhaps my wording was too technical and gave the wrong impression about my intentions. I would happily change the description, but I think I can no longer edit the post. If we hadn't received such a wonderful reply, I was going to ask a moderator if it’s possible to delete this thread so I could repost it with different wording, or if it’s possible to change the wording of the current description to avoid a wrong impression.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Perhaps my wording was too technical and gave the wrong impression about my intentions. I would happily change the description, but I think I can no longer edit the post. If we hadn't received such a wonderful reply, I was going to ask a moderator if it’s possible to delete this thread so I could repost it with different wording, or if it’s possible to change the wording of the current description to avoid a wrong impression.

If you reply to this post with the text you'd like me to insert into your original post, I can make the requested adjustments

 

[Marcus A.]

If you reply to this post with the text you'd like me to insert into your original post, I can make the requested adjustments

Thank you, Dave. Based on the feedback I’ve received from members and mods alike, I’ve decided that rewriting the whole thing is probably the best option to make it more ZooChat-friendly. I don’t want to leave any question marks in anyone’s mind regarding the concerns mentioned. The purpose of these threads is not to promote the exposure of captive animals to weather extremes or to collect exhibit requirement information, but to share our experiences and memories about the subject matter during our zoo visits or work.

In order to achieve this, I’ve changed the tone of the description so it doesn’t sound as technical as it used to. The focus is now more on personal experiences and observations rather than technical details, hopefully making the thread more appropriate for ZooChat. My language was probably too technical initially because I’ve been reading a lot of husbandry manuals lately and got carried away, which I tend to do with things I enjoy. I hope you’ll find the following draft to be more suitable for a ZooChat forum thread:

Title: Winter Management of Tropical Primates

Welcome to the second thread in our series on animal temperature management in captivity. In these threads, I aim to reach out to the community to share their observations and experiences—whether they are trained professionals or avid zoo-goers like myself—on how their local zoos or zoos they have worked at manage certain groups of animals during seasons that these animals typically do not encounter in their natural range.

In this thread, we will explore the winter management of tropical primates that are given outdoor access in the institutions where they are exhibited, particularly in temperate or Mediterranean regions.

For Zoo-Goers: What observations have you made regarding the common standards for winter management of tropical primates in your local zoo or any other zoo you frequent? Which species are given outdoor access year-round? How are their habitats designed? What behavioral observations have you made? Were there any days or circumstances where the species in question were off exhibit or fully indoors?


For Trained Professionals: What can you share about the winter management of tropical primates in the institutions you have worked at? What guidelines did you follow? How did these vary between species? What behavioral observations have you made that differ between various species of tropical primates? Which ones were more eager to go out on a chilly day? Feel free to omit the names of institutions if desired.

For reference and brainstorming, below is a list of tropical and subtropical primates that I’m aware have had a presence in zoos. Of course, information on other species that I may have missed is certainly welcome:

• Apes: Great Apes (Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Bonobo, Orangutans), Lesser Apes (Siamang, Lar Gibbon, Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon, etc.)
• Old World Monkeys: Guenons (De Brazza's, Diana, Mona, Wolf's Mona, Roloway, etc.), Allen's Swamp Monkey, Green Monkey, Patas Monkeys, Talapoins, Vervet, Grivet, Baboons (Hamadryas, Olive, Guinea, etc.), Gelada, Drill, Mandrill, Mangabeys (Black Crested, Collared, etc.), Macaques (Crab-Eating, Celebes Crested, Lion-Tailed, Pig-Tailed, Rhesus, etc.), Colobuses (Mantled Guereza, Angolan, etc.), Langurs (François', Hanuman/Gray, Javan Lutung, Silvery Lutung, etc.), Red-Shanked Douc, Proboscis Monkey, etc.
• New World Monkeys: Marmosets (Common, Silvery, Pygmy, Goeldi's, etc.), Tamarins (Golden Lion, Cotton-Top, Emperor, Pied, etc.), Capuchins (White-Faced, Tufted, etc.), Squirrel Monkeys (Guianan, Black-Capped, etc.), Night Monkeys (Azara's, Gray-Handed, etc.), Titis (Coppery, White-Eared, etc.), Sakis (White-Faced, etc.), Uakaris (Bald, etc.), Howlers (Black, Colombian Red, etc.), Spider Monkeys (Geoffroy's, Black-Headed, Brown, etc.), Woolly Monkeys, etc.
• Tarsiers: Spectral, Philippine, etc.
• Lemurs: Aye-Aye, Dwarf Lemurs (Fat-Tailed, etc.), Mouse Lemurs (Gray, Goodman's, etc.), Sifakas (Coquerel's, Crowned, etc.), Ruffed Lemurs (Red, Black-And-White), True Lemurs (Black, Blue-Eyed Black, Collared, Common Brown, Crowned, Mongoose, Red-Bellied, Red-Fronted, White-Fronted, etc.), Bamboo Lemurs (Greater, Lac Alaotra, etc.), Ring-Tailed Lemur, etc.
• Lorisoids: Slow Lorises (Pygmy, Bengal, Greater/Sunda, Javan, etc.), Slender Lorises (Red, etc.), Pottos (Bosman's, etc.), Angwantibos, Lesser Bushbabies (Senegal, Mohol, etc.), Greater Galagos (Garnett's, Brown, etc.), etc.

I have excluded temperate species (e.g., Japanese and Barbary macaques, golden snub-nosed monkeys, etc.) from the description, but if some members have experience with these, please share. However, experiences and information on tropical species are more relevant in the context of this thread.

Thank you in advance for your contributions!

 

[FBBird]

Thank you, Dave. Based on the feedback I’ve received from members and mods alike, I’ve decided that rewriting the whole thing is probably the best option to make it more ZooChat-friendly. I don’t want to leave any question marks in anyone’s mind regarding the concerns mentioned. The purpose of these threads is not to promote the exposure of captive animals to weather extremes or to collect exhibit requirement information, but to share our experiences and memories about the subject matter during our zoo visits or work.

In order to achieve this, I’ve changed the tone of the description so it doesn’t sound as technical as it used to. The focus is now more on personal experiences and observations rather than technical details, hopefully making the thread more appropriate for ZooChat. My language was probably too technical initially because I’ve been reading a lot of husbandry manuals lately and got carried away, which I tend to do with things I enjoy. I hope you’ll find the following draft to be more suitable for a ZooChat forum thread:

Title: Winter Management of Tropical Primates

Welcome to the second thread in our series on animal temperature management in captivity. In these threads, I aim to reach out to the community to share their observations and experiences—whether they are trained professionals or avid zoo-goers like myself—on how their local zoos or zoos they have worked at manage certain groups of animals during seasons that these animals typically do not encounter in their natural range.

In this thread, we will explore the winter management of tropical primates that are given outdoor access in the institutions where they are exhibited, particularly in temperate or Mediterranean regions.

For Zoo-Goers: What observations have you made regarding the winter management of tropical primates in your local zoo or any other zoo you frequent? Which species are given outdoor access year-round? How are their habitats designed? What behavioral observations have you made? Were there any days or circumstances where the species in question were off exhibit or fully indoors?

For Trained Professionals: What can you share about the winter management of tropical primates in the institutions you have worked at? What guidelines did you follow? How did these vary between species? What behavioral observations have you made that differ between various species of tropical primates? Which ones were more eager to go out on a chilly day? Feel free to omit the names of institutions if desired.

For reference and brainstorming, below is a list of tropical and subtropical primates that I’m aware have had a presence in zoos. Of course, information on other species that I may have missed is certainly welcome:

• Apes: Great Apes (Gorilla, Chimpanzee, Bonobo, Orangutans), Lesser Apes (Siamang, Lar Gibbon, Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon, etc.)
• Old World Monkeys: Guenons (De Brazza's, Diana, Mona, Wolf's Mona, Roloway, etc.), Allen's Swamp Monkey, Green Monkey, Patas Monkeys, Talapoins, Vervet, Grivet, Baboons (Hamadryas, Olive, Guinea, etc.), Gelada, Drill, Mandrill, Mangabeys (Black Crested, Collared, etc.), Macaques (Crab-Eating, Celebes Crested, Lion-Tailed, Pig-Tailed, Rhesus, etc.), Colobuses (Mantled Guereza, Angolan, etc.), Langurs (François', Hanuman/Gray, Javan Lutung, Silvery Lutung, etc.), Red-Shanked Douc, Proboscis Monkey, etc.
• New World Monkeys: Marmosets (Common, Silvery, Pygmy, Goeldi's, etc.), Tamarins (Golden Lion, Cotton-Top, Emperor, Pied, etc.), Capuchins (White-Faced, Tufted, etc.), Squirrel Monkeys (Guianan, Black-Capped, etc.), Night Monkeys (Azara's, Gray-Handed, etc.), Titis (Coppery, White-Eared, etc.), Sakis (White-Faced, etc.), Uakaris (Bald, etc.), Howlers (Black, Colombian Red, etc.), Spider Monkeys (Geoffroy's, Black-Headed, Brown, etc.), Woolly Monkeys, etc.
• Tarsiers: Spectral, Philippine, etc.
• Lemurs: Aye-Aye, Dwarf Lemurs (Fat-Tailed, etc.), Mouse Lemurs (Gray, Goodman's, etc.), Sifakas (Coquerel's, Crowned, etc.), Ruffed Lemurs (Red, Black-And-White), True Lemurs (Black, Blue-Eyed Black, Collared, Common Brown, Crowned, Mongoose, Red-Bellied, Red-Fronted, White-Fronted, etc.), Bamboo Lemurs (Greater, Lac Alaotra, etc.), Ring-Tailed Lemur, etc.
• Lorisoids: Slow Lorises (Pygmy, Bengal, Greater/Sunda, Javan, etc.), Slender Lorises (Red, etc.), Pottos (Bosman's, etc.), Angwantibos, Lesser Bushbabies (Senegal, Mohol, etc.), Greater Galagos (Garnett's, Brown, etc.), etc.

I have excluded temperate species (e.g., Japanese and Barbary macaques, golden snub-nosed monkeys, etc.) from the description, but if some members have experience with these, please share. However, experiences and information on tropical species are more relevant in the context of this thread.

Thank you in advance for your contributions!

There’s an article in an early International Zoo Yearbook about experimenting with Squirrel Monkeys in completely outdoor exhibits (in the USA). They had heated shelter boxes, but there was some frost damage to extremities…..not all animals survived.
Jersey Zoo tried some hybrid marmosets on an island with a heated shelter box. The adult female died of cold after falling out of the box and failing to return. The experiment was not repeated (Dodo journal)

 

[Marcus A.]

There’s an article in an early International Zoo Yearbook about experimenting with Squirrel Monkeys in completely outdoor exhibits (in the USA). They had heated shelter boxes, but there was some frost damage to extremities…..not all animals survived.
Jersey Zoo tried some hybrid marmosets on an island with a heated shelter box. The adult female died of cold after falling out of the box and failing to return. The experiment was not repeated (Dodo journal)

In the scope of this thread, I think it is best to exclude extreme experiments like these and focus on best practice/common standards instead. I have rewritten the description and title to prevent misunderstandings like these. Hopefully, it will go live soon!

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Thank you, Dave. Based on the feedback I’ve received from members and mods alike, I’ve decided that rewriting the whole thing is probably the best option to make it more ZooChat-friendly. I don’t want to leave any question marks in anyone’s mind regarding the concerns mentioned. The purpose of these threads is not to promote the exposure of captive animals to weather extremes or to collect exhibit requirement information, but to share our experiences and memories about the subject matter during our zoo visits or work.

I've made the requested edits to your first post and thread title.

 

[Marcus A.]

I've made the requested edits to your first post and thread title.

Thank you very much! Is it possible to also add the term "standard practice" to the sentence I've quoted below to avoid further confusion? The editing period was over before I realized this was necessary.

For Zoo-Goers: What observations have you made regarding the common standards of winter management of tropical primates in your local zoo or any other zoo you frequent? Which species are given outdoor access year-round? How are their habitats designed? What behavioral observations have you made? Were there any days or circumstances where the species in question were off exhibit or fully indoors?

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Thank you very much! Is it possible to also add the term "standard practice" to the sentence I've quoted below to avoid further confusion? The editing period was over before I realized this was necessary.

Whereabouts would you like it added exactly?

 

[Marcus A.]

Whereabouts would you like it added exactly?

I actually added it to the quoted paragraph for convenience. You can also copy and paste the following:

For Zoo-Goers: What observations have you made regarding the common standards of winter management of tropical primates in your local zoo or any other zoo you frequent? Which species are given outdoor access year-round? How are their habitats designed? What behavioral observations have you made? Were there any days or circumstances where the species in question were off exhibit or fully indoors?

 

[StellarChaser]

In Toronto Zoo, White-faced Saki, Golden Lion Tamarins and Ring-tailed Lemurs don't go outdoors after mid-October when the temperature drops below 18 ℃. While the Geoffrey's Spider Monkeys (phased out now, but the Zoo used to have) remain outdoors until early November before the temperature drops below 10 ℃. Lion-tailed Macaques can be seen outdoors in mild winter if temperatures exceed 0 ℃. Olive Baboon sometimes come out when the temperature is below 0℃, I saw them outdoor in February when there was snow on the land. A video about visiting Calgary Zoo in January shows that Mandrills went outdoor when there was mild snow, approximately above -5℃ is fine for Baboons and Mandrills. For Great Apes, Orangutans and Gorillas of Toronto Zoo go outdoors until early November (for Gorillas, only the two bachelor males are given access to outdoor in late autumn). The best cold-tolerant Great Ape is probably Mountain Gorilla, I know someone who just saw Mountain Gorilla on a trip in Uganda last month, and he said the weather in Mountain Gorilla's habitat was quite cold and winter jacket was needed. Unfortunately Mountain Gorilla can't adapt to the captivity environment.