A new species of primate now calls Milwaukee County Zoo home

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A new species of primates have entered the Milwaukee County Zoo.

Debrazza's monkeys are now in the zoo's Primates of the World building. The zoo's curator of apes and primates, Trish Khan, said in a press release, "We were looking to add a new species to the Primates of the World building, and DeBrazza’s monkeys were a great fit."

The zoo's new additions are Holly, a five-year-old and Hugo, a four-year-old. The pair can be noticed in the primate building by the features that make DeBrazza's monkeys so unique: white facial hair that resembles a beard, a white belly and a speckled grayish coat with black extremities.

The species is considered to be Stable in the wild, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, but they do face threats from deforestation and the pet trade.

Hugo and Holly are expected to breed, helping to continue to contribute to species conservation and management.

The zoo houses the DeBrazza's pair though participation in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan, which aims to ensure the survival of selected species in zoos and aquariums.

More information about the Milwaukee County Zoo can be found by visiting their website.

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