Spring is in the air at Lincoln Park Zoo — a snow monkey was born Friday at the North Side zoo.
The infant Japanese macaque, whose gender has not yet been determined, is the first born to 11-year-old mother Izumi, according to a press release announcing the newest arrival at the zoo.
“This is an exciting time for our macaques as the troop continues to create a second generation of snow monkeys at the zoo,” Maureen Leahy, the zoo’s curator of primates, said in the release.
“As always we are cautiously optimistic but the infant appears healthy and has begun nursing, one of the first essential milestones. Both Izumi and the infant are being closely monitored by animal care staff,” Leahy said.
The baby joins 1-year-old male Obu and eight other snow monkeys at the Regenstein Macaque Forest. The newest arrival and Izumi are on exhibit daily between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.