Snow Monkey Names Her Own Infant at Lincoln Park Zoo

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: October 27, 2021 9:43 pm

A snow monkey infant born on August 3rd 2021 is seen clinging on to mother, Mito at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago

Photo Credit: Lincoln Park Zoo

Researchers at the Lincoln Park Zoo have helped a snow monkey to choose the name for her latest infant. Female Mito gave birth to her infant on August 3rd 2021 and it has been named Minato.

The 13 strong snow monkey troop at Lincoln Park Zoo are part of ongoing studies in to primate cognition. This voluntary program uses touchscreens to try to gauge an understanding of how primates experience the world.

Using the studies, scientists from the Fisher Center have been able to better understand macaques’ ability to sequence and memorize symbols as well as their individual food preferences, enhancing the zoo’s ability to ensure high-level care and welfare for these primates.

Mito is a regular participant in the research which has allowed her to pick a name for her infant. Researchers were able to present two names, Minato and Miyoshi, and from these Mito chose the name Minato.

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The names for all members of the snow monkey troop at Lincoln Park Zoo are taken from Japanese cities and towns in homage to their native habitat. They also demonstrate the prominent matrilines in this species by using the same first letter as the mother.

“Lincoln Park Zoo is dedicated to providing choice and control to the species in its care whenever possible, which is exemplified in the zoo’s voluntary primate cognitive research program,” says Steve Ross, Ph.D., director of the Lester E. Fisher Center for the Study and Conservation of Apes. “In the spirit of providing choice, we gave snow monkey Mito the opportunity to choose her infant’s name, selecting between two options”.

Regenstein Macaque forest opened in 2015. Since then the Lincoln Park Zoo have welcomed seven infants demonstrating the excellent care and welfare being provided to the group.

On occasion visitors at Lincoln Park Zoo may see researchers working with the snow monkeys in the public-facing research booth.