News

On May 23, 2009 elementary school students and their parents enjoyed a fun-filled day (exploring scientific activities featuring the highly endangered golden lion tamarin from Brazil. Monkey Jungle was one of the first zoos to breed these stunningly beautiful monkeys. The volunteers at the DuMond Conservancy, under the guidance of Bianca Bonilla presented educational displays, a scavenger hunt, story telling and a short play all designed for parents and students to learn more about these tamarins. The Miami Capoeira project gave a lively performance of Brazilian martial arts that was much enjoyed by humans and Monkey Jungle monkeys alike. This event was sponsored by the Wildlife Conservation Society.

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Students from Southridge High's exceptional students program visit places like Monkey Jungle each week to get job experience.

by Elizabeth Caram
ecaram@herald.com

"Monkeys let out high-pitched squeals and swing from branch to branch when students from Southridge High visit their Jungle each Thursday.

It sounds like a good time, but they are not there to monkey around -- they all have work to do."

Each of the eight students who work at Monkey Jungle on Thursday has a mental handicap. Their IQs range from 20 to 60. A few have Down syndrome.

They are accompanied by teacher Norris Joyner, who watches as they tackle their chores.

They aren't glamorous jobs, either. Some go into a miniature kitchen and get to work chopping monkey food: pineapples, cantaloupe, grapes, apples and watermelon -- a diet that would make even Oprah Winfrey's personal trainer proud.

And some of the primates are on diets.

King, the 35-year-old resident gorilla, weighs about 450 pounds. His caretakers want to keep it that way, because male gorillas in captivity have a tendency to become a tad portly -- hence, the fruit and vegetable diet.

While some kids chop up the fruit that will help keep monkeys slim, others hit the grass with buckets full of soapy water and brushes.

Their job: get the, uh, stuff, off the monkey carriers employees use when they have to take the animals from one place to another.

The DuMond Conservancy tries to put out a newsletter quarterly. Unfortunately, this is not always possible due to time and budgetary contraints. If you would like to help us put out our newsletter, please contact us at dumond@dumondconservancy.org.

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The archives of our newsletter are available for download as .pdfs below.

Click here to see a gallery of images from the Festival!