Winter Management of Tropical Primates

[Marcus A.]

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.

Thank you for the detailed post. I wonder if the 18°C difference between the lion-tailed macaques and the three species you mentioned that have a cutoff of 18°C is due to exhibit design. Based on husbandry manuals, those three species can be allowed outdoor access at lower temperatures. Perhaps their exhibit design does not allow for free choice, so they need to be moved inside when temperatures do not permit all-day access.

 

[Strathmorezoo]

Here at Strathmorezoo, we have held Common marmoset, Geoffroy's marmoset, Cotton-top tamarins and Red-Bellied tamarins. All four species have been observed using their outdoor enclosures in very cold weather, including when it is snowing. All four species have access to the outside via cat flaps. Their indoor accommodation is maintained at an ambient temperature of 24 degrees centigrade. It is their choice when they want to return to their indoor enclosure. They have been housed like this for the last 8 years. Hopefully this information is of useful to you

 

[Marcus A.]

Here at Strathmorezoo, we have held Common marmoset, Geoffroy's marmoset, Cotton-top tamarins and Red-Bellied tamarins. All four species have been observed using their outdoor enclosures in very cold weather, including when it is snowing. All four species have access to the outside via cat flaps. Their indoor accommodation is maintained at an ambient temperature of 24 degrees centigrade. It is their choice when they want to return to their indoor enclosure. They have been housed like this for the last 8 years. Hopefully this information is of useful to you

Thank you for sharing your practices. It has been very insightful. It's always interesting to read how individual zoos approach the thermal management of their inhabitants.

 

[StellarChaser]

Thank you for the detailed post. I wonder if the 18°C difference between the lion-tailed macaques and the three species you mentioned that have a cutoff of 18°C is due to exhibit design. Based on husbandry manuals, those three species can be allowed outdoor access at lower temperatures. Perhaps their exhibit design does not allow for free choice, so they need to be moved inside when temperatures do not permit all-day access.

The outdoor enclosures of White-faced Saki and Golden Lion Tamarin in Toronto Zoo are just attached with their indoor house, but the keepers close the entrance when the temperature drops below about 18℃.
I forgot to mention about Gibbons, the Lar Gibbons in Twins Valley Zoo and Safari Niagara may go outdoors when the temperature is slightly below 0 ℃.

 

[Marcus A.]

The outdoor enclosures of White-faced Saki and Golden Lion Tamarin in Toronto Zoo are just attached with their indoor house, but the keepers close the entrance when the temperature drops below about 18℃.

I wonder why that is. Their best practice husbandry manuals use the same cutoffs for similar species for both indoor access and lock-in. The 18°C value you mentioned aligns with the indoor access recommendations, while lock-ins are about 4-5°C, just like for other New World species. Perhaps their indoor habitat is good enough for long-term holding.