Meet Rio, the Zoo’s new black howler monkey
We’ve got an exciting new addition to M&T Bank Rainforest Falls!
The Buffalo Zoo is thrilled to announce the arrival of our new black howler monkey, Rio!
Rio is 6 years old and was born on Sept. 1, 2018 at the Scovil Zoo in Decatur, Illinois. She comes to the Buffalo Zoo on an Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan recommendation to breed with our male howler monkey, Tater (7). Before arriving in Buffalo, she resided at the Greensboro Science Center in North Carolina.
Her keepers say Rio is a bit shy but also inquisitive, exploring all over her habitat as she continues to get comfortable! She also has been heard howling on her own during her early days in Buffalo.
She is now rotating out on exhibit with our other howler monkeys, Tater and Lily, and visitors can expect to see her fairly regularly to welcome her to Buffalo! Introductions between Rio, Tater and Lily will happen behind the scenes later this fall, and the hope is they will eventually reside on exhibit together.
Black howler monkeys are primarily found in the forests of South America, including Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
The species is currently listed as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Population declines are largely due to habitat loss, hunting pressures and vulnerability to disease outbreaks.
Black howler monkeys are sexually dimorphic, which in this case means that male and females have different color fur. Males like Tater have an entirely black appearance, while females like Rio and Lily have more of a golden and black appearance.
Black howler monkeys are recognized for their well-known “howl”, a powerful, loud vocalization that can be heard from over a mile away. The howls are primarily used for communications, whether it’s to display territory or for social bonds within a group.
Come welcome Rio to Buffalo during your next Zoo visit!