At-risk Animals Born at CBUS Zoo

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium celebrated the births of two at-
risk species. On January 7, 2019, the zoo welcomed a female dama
gazelle calf. On January 23, the zoo welcomed a silvered leaf langur.

Their arrival constitutes a crucial step toward sustaining their

populations. Less than 300 dama gazelles, the rarest gazelle species,
still live in the wild. Meanwhile, silvered leaf langurs face plummeting
populations because of deforestation. Thankfully, the Columbus Zoo
and Aquarium partners with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’
Species Survival Plan (SSP) to oversee the proliferation of at-risk
species like these.

The female dama gazelle still lacks a name. However, her mother,
Layla; her father, Zultan; and her one-year-old sister, Raisin, continue
to cherish her. The SSP coordinated Layla and Zultan’s pairing in the
zoo, but, to protect dama gazelles in the wild, the Columbus Zoo also
assists the Sahara Conservation Fund to monitor native populations in
Chad, Niger and Mali.

The silvered leaf langur, a species of rainforest

monkeys, also lacks a name. Zoo faculty have not yet
released the sex of the infant, but will do so within the next few
weeks. For now, the infant sports bright orange fur; its coat will
gradually turn salt-and-pepper like its mom, Daria, and dad,
Thai. As with the dama gazelle, the pairing of Daria and Thai
resulted from an SSP recommendation. Silvered leaf langurs
live natively in Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia.

“We are pleased to welcome these new babies at the Columbus Zoo as both of these births
are tremendously important to the future of these at-risk species,” says Tom Stalf, the Columbus Zoo
president and CEO. “It is important that we continue the conversation about conservation and
sustainability, and we are proud of multiple ways we are working to make a positive impact for wild
life and wild places.”

For hours and pricing, visit the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s webpage. The babies await
you.