Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens Golden monkeys

ANyhuis said:
Not quite as exciting as golden monkeys, but I would think that Douc Langurs could make a decent substitute for them. The Zoo could do a solid "Vietnam" theme to the exhibit, and even tell the story of the effect of the Vietnam War on the species. These langurs would have some special appeal, in that they are only seen in one other zoo in the nation (Philadelphia).
Click to expand...

They might be equally challenging to source, but it would be great to have more in the US.
 
That's too bad, especially considering all the money that has been spent. They are amazing animals, I saw them in Nagoya and Zoorasia, definitely my favourite monkeys along with douc langurs. Is it political that they won't come?
 
Sun Wukong said:
No, it's financial...
Click to expand...

Sun, you couldn't be more wrong! I have sources at the LA Zoo and I'm assured this is 100% political -- on the part of the Chinese government. It's the very same struggle that the Oakland Zoo is having in bringing in the already-promised giant pandas. China is just being difficult.

I suppose you could be correct in one way -- maybe it's "financial" on the part of the Chinese. Maybe they are insisting on an unreasonable bribe to release the animals. If so, I stand corrected. But YOU should have throw out what appears to be another zoo-bashing hit, suggesting that the LA Zoo is merely making a negative "financial" decision.
 
Blackduiker

As I've stated in earlier posts, it totally baffles everyone involved in Los Angeles as to China's reversed decision on not sending the monkeys. And according to individuals at GLAZA, it definitely wasn't a matter of finances on LA's part. The 7+ million dollar exhibit wasn't okayed to later re-think that decision, we originally were seeking the much more costly annual upkeep of Giant Pandas. MONEY ON LA'S END WAS NOT THE ISSUE!
 
Judging from Rotterdam's previous experiences, I'd guess that the Chinese demands probably crossed a (financial) threshold of pain-no matter how much money LA was able to spend...

I like the douc langur, or rather tropical langur species suggestion; that would also be better in regard to the local climate.
 
DISCLAIMER - The contents of this post are based solely on the opinions of the poster and have are based on no insider knowledge whatsoever

My guess as to the future inhabitants of this exhibit are either Francois' langurs or northern white-cheeked gibbons... (only Chinese primates I can think of with any availability)
 
Blackduiker

Ituri said:
DISCLAIMER - The contents of this post are based solely on the opinions of the poster and have are based on no insider knowledge whatsoever

My guess as to the future inhabitants of this exhibit are either Francois' langurs or northern white-cheeked gibbons... (only Chinese primates I can think of with any availability)
Click to expand...

The exhibit is part of what's known as the Asian Forest. Any new consideration of a replacement species is not limited strictly to "Chinese" primates. Thai, Vietnamese, Laotian, Cambodian, Indonesian, Malaysian, etc., species would all qualify. It's an open field now.

In the Los Angeles Daily News of June 11th, the article states that the zoo plans to have the exhibit occupied by the end of August.
 
I think the zoo is still going with the Chinese theme, since they are planning in having Golden Pheasants and Reeves Muntjacs in the same exhibit. So as Ituri said, I think the langur species will be Francois Langurs since I doubt the zoo will put gibbons in that exhibit. I'll ask tomorrow at the zoo.
 
Kill me, but I am glad the 3 golden monkeys won`t come. It would surely have been exiting to watch them from a zoo enthusiasts point of view, but I can`t see that bringing in just 3 animals on a temporary loan is justified by either in-situ nor ex-situ conservation. The move around the world means serious stress for the 3 monkeys, breeding opportinities would be extremely limited (what if the male had died soon??), zero chance to build up a self-sustaining US population (too few founders and all offspring had to be given back to China anyway). If China would offer 10-15 monkeys on longterm loan to build up a safety net population in the US (or Europe...) in exchange for in-situ support, I`d be thrilled. But not 3 animals for just 10 years, "just" for show. And not for the price the chinese wanted for these 3.

by the way, did Rotterdam ever got anything back in exchange for the breeding group of gorillas they sent to Shanghai in 2004-2005? If the Chinese broke their word too, Rotterdam should strongly consider about claiming the gorillas back. The Chinese have animals we want, but WE also have animals THEY want.
 
@Yassa: Don't forget to mention the LA heat. I have seen some Golden Snub Nosed Monkeys during summer temperatures at Chinese zoos. They didn't seem to enjoy it...
 
Blackduiker

Sun Wukong said:
@Yassa: Don't forget to mention the LA heat. I have seen some Golden Snub Nosed Monkeys during summer temperatures at Chinese zoos. They didn't seem to enjoy it...
Click to expand...

This would not have been the first time Golden Monkey's have been displayed here in Los Angeles. After the Giant Pandas left here in 1984 for a short stay during the Olympics, Golden Monkeys soon followed them and seemed to adjust just fine during my many visits to see them.

But so much for Golden Monkeys; I'm ready to move on with great expectations for another primate species. After all, that exhibit has sat empty for far too long now, and it would be nice to have some other primate that maybe has never been displayed here before. Maybe a better chance at a new breeding colony at this zoo. Let's just leave any dealings with China alone in the future, since they obviously don't want to play fair with L.A.
 
Blackduiker

Well after speaking to my acquaintance in the head office of GLAZA this afternoon(9-2-09), it's official. The zoo will exhibit Francois' Langurs as a replacement species to the Golden Monkey exhibit. As of now, there is already one speciman in residence at the zoo, sex not specified, and they will continue with the mixed species China theme(Francois' Langur, Reeve's Muntjac and Golden Pheasant). The exhibit will open with only the one Langur for now, and apparently the holdup is a problem with the glass-fronted display, which they have decided to totally replace. Plans are to hopefully have an official opening by the end of September. Watch for further announcements. I'm sure Mario or myself will have more info in the very near future.
 
Last edited:
I hope our zoo's in Australia will end up with more than our one and only pair in the country
 
Blackduiker

I'm hoping L.A. will soon be able to acquire a mate for its lone individual. We're hoping for future breeding success, not just a lone speciman on display.
 
I understand Belfast zoo has a good breeding record with them and has a good sized group
 
There are (at least?) four European zoos with the species - breeding groups at Belfast, London and Rotterdam and a new group at Twycross. Very nice animals.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top