Is this normal?

athleticpete

athleticpete

Active Member
I was just about to leave Valencia Bioparc yesterday evening (as they were closing) and I saw a primate and an antelope interacting with each other. The `monkey´climbed onto the antelopes back and sat on its shoulders for a while till the antelope got fed up and nudged it off. Then, as if to say thanks, it started to groom the antelope. I managed to take a few shots, as attached.

Also can anyone confirm which type of primate and which antelope these are.

Thanks

Pete

Photos by Peter West - ShutterPoint Stock Photography
 

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The antilope is a sitatunga and the moneky seems to be a talapoin. They are kept together with drills (2nd monkey species) and pygmy hippo. The enclosure is ok size-wise but totally inadequate for keeping monkeys in there because there are not nearly enough climbing structures and hiding possibilities. It`s a pretty awful enclosure from the monkey`s point of view.
 
Have you seen the BBC programme animal park, it showed the water buffalo in the rhesus macaque reserve, more often than not carrying a passenger or two
 
@kiang: nice video link! I've been to the Point Defiance Zoo twice, and even though they have a set of rotation exhibits I had no idea that at times they allowed the interaction of different species within the same habitat.
 
I'd be interested in knowing the social structure of that group of monkeys and the age of the monkey who is grooming the antelope. Monkeys often interact with other species and depending on their prior experience with them form loose bonds.
 
Yassa said:
The antilope is a sitatunga and the moneky seems to be a talapoin. They are kept together with drills (2nd monkey species) and pygmy hippo. The enclosure is ok size-wise but totally inadequate for keeping monkeys in there because there are not nearly enough climbing structures and hiding possibilities. It`s a pretty awful enclosure from the monkey`s point of view.
Click to expand...

They are currently building a large extension which will house Gorillas, there may be plans to include an area for monkeys too. Although not ideal, its certainly an imrovement on the last zoo where monkey were kept in small cages with little or no play area.

Pete

Photos by Peter West - ShutterPoint Stock Photography
 
i am obssesed with biopar at the moment, and flickr it every few days for new photos, but am still looking for a decent set of plans that shows all the exhibits, as well as the phase 2 extensions.
 
bioparc

Zoo_Boy said:
i am obssesed with biopar at the moment, and flickr it every few days for new photos, but am still looking for a decent set of plans that shows all the exhibits, as well as the phase 2 extensions.
Click to expand...

Here is a copy of the leaflet provided by the parc, hope you are able to read it and find it useful. The areas marked 17 and 18 have not yet opened as they are adding the finishing touches. The bit next to it `proxima aperura`means next opening so that should open soon too

Pete
Photos by Peter West - ShutterPoint Stock Photography
 
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