The zoo once had a large and very successful breeding group of this endangered species. However, after asinine AZA regulations to phase out the species and the terrible decade at the zoo between 2000-2010, the zoo has had a reduction of the group to just one animal left at the Think Tank and possibly (not certain) one animal left with some lion-tailed macaques at a holding facility at the bottom of the hill (visible down the hill between the Think Tank and small cat area).
The terrible decade was an extended period of high profile deaths, escapes, accidents, corruption, mismanagement, losses, legal penalties, investigations by numerous organizations and the federal government, and other issues that still continue to plague the zoo. For the Sulawesi/Celebes macaques, the Think Tank was plagued with diseases brought in by a vermin infestation. Also, the last baby born (a male named Ripley) was crushed and killed when a worker slammed a door on him.
Indeed. I grew up in Europe and go back quite frequently and see them every now and then, depending on where I go back to. There's still a few spread around the US, but their numbers aren't really growing in major zoos thanks to a disturbing trend of phasing out species for ridiculous or no reasons. A number have been moved to the private sector here, where their numbers are getting stronger.
