City contributes $100,000 for patas monkey exhibit; construction begins this spring
A fundraising campaign to build a new patas monkey exhibit at
Zoo Boise is complete in just five weeks thanks to a $100,000 boost
from the City of Boise.
The Friends of Zoo Boise (FOZB) raised the remaining $119,000
from private donors. City funds will come from year-end savings in
the Boise Parks & Recreation fiscal year 2012 budget.
Construction starts this spring. Zoo Boise's three patas monkeys
are expected to move into the new exhibit in fall 2013.
"Once again, Boise citizens have shown their compassion and
commitment by coming together to create a positive outcome for our
community," said Mayor David Bieter. "I commend the Friends of Zoo
Boise for quickly raising contributions for this important exhibit
and look forward to seeing its three new residents move in later
this year."
FoZB is a non-profit organization founded in 1961 to support the
zoo.
The new Patas Monkey Exhibit will be located in the African
Plains exhibit near the giraffe barn. The structure built of
sustainable materials will have indoor and outdoor living space and
three large viewing windows for the public.
The fundraising campaign was precipitated by a zoo break-in Nov.
17, which resulted in the death of a male patas monkey. Since then,
the remaining male has lived alone at the zoo. Two female patas
monkeys arrived Dec. 3 from the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse,
New York.
Upon completion of a quarantine period in February, the females
will be placed in an enclosure within sight of the male. After
determining that they are compatible, all three monkeys will live
together in the Primate House until the new exhibit is
complete.
Patas monkeys are ground-dwelling animals from the plains of
Africa. At 2 ½ feet, they typically weigh 35 pounds.
As part of its conservation mission, Zoo
Boise will contribute 10 percent of project costs to the
Wildlife Conservation Society for the preservation of patas monkey
habitat in Yankari National Park in Africa.
Long-term capital improvement plans at Zoo
Boise include demolition of the Primate House, which was built
in 1967. "We are planning to replace aging facilities with modern
zoo exhibits that are better for both the animals and our visitors"
said Steve Burns, Zoo Boise director.
Media contacts:
Steve Burns, Zoo Boise Director, 384-4125, ext. 203
Amy Stahl, Marketing & Community Relations, 869-0637 cell