Summer Starts with Baby Boom at Lincoln Park Zoo

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: August 14, 2021 1:55 am

A Japanese macaque infant clings to its mother at the Lincoln Park Zoo

Photo Credit: Christopher Bijalba / Lincoln Park Zoo

The Lincoln Park Zoo have kicked off summer with a boom…a baby boom that is. Recently they have welcomed a Japanese macaque infant, two Chilean flamingo chicks and hatchlings from seven bird species.

In Regenstein Macaque forest the Japanese macaque family have welcomed the arrival of a healthy male infant. He was born to mother Mito on August 3rd 2021.

A Chilean flamingo chick strolls alongside its parents at the Flamingo Lagoon habitat at Lincoln Park Zoo

Photo Credit: Christopher Bijalba / Lincoln Park Zoo

The Japanese macaque infant has been passing a range of critical milestones and is doing well. This is mother Mito’s first pregnancy since arriving at the zoo. The new arrival joins a troop of 13 Japanese macaques at the zoo. He will have two youngsters born during last years lockdown as playmates as he grows.

“Infants make for a very active macaque troop and instantly cause zoo visitors to smile and laugh,” said Curator of Primates Jill Moyse. “Since Mito is a first-time mom here at Lincoln Park Zoo, it’s exciting to watch her provide such great care to her infant”.

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Flamingo Lagoon also has a new arrival with two male Chilean flamingo chicks born as part of the Chilean Flamingo Species Survival Plan® (SSP). The chicks are being fed a milk-like secretion produced by the parents and known as crop milk.

The first chick hatched on July 17th followed by the second on July 27th 2021.

That’s not all though with the Hope B. McCormick Bird House turning in to a maternity ward with six bird species welcoming hatchlings. Species including American avocets, blue-crowned laughingthrush, golden-beast starling, green broadbill, Inca tern and Nicobar pigeon.

“It’s an exciting time to visit McCormick Bird House, as there are so many new hatchlings to try and spot,” said Hope B. McCormick Curator of Birds and Wildlife Policy Sunny Nelson. “Blue-crowned laughingthrush haven’t hatched at the zoo since 2009 and green broadbill haven’t hatched at the zoo since 2015. It’s truly a special time here at the zoo”.